Snapchat is on almost every teenager’s smartphone. It’s one of the most used apps in the world, competing with other major companies like Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook. A downside has begun to become apparent, though, as this app continues to increase in popularity: Snapchat addiction.
If your teen is constantly hooked to their phone and other forms of technology due to underlying emotional or behavioral challenges, it may be time to consider treatment options. Click here to learn more about technology addiction and how Solstice works with teens struggling with technology issues.
Why a Snapchat addiction should be taken seriously
A Snapchat addiction creates the same reaction in your teen’s brain as other forms of addiction.
Take gambling addictions for example; people become addicted to the feeling, the rush, of winning money. With technology, it’s similar. For video game addictions, it’s usually being used as a sort of escape from reality. For a Snapchat addiction, it’s more about views and “snap streaks.”
Snap streaks are the way to measure “success” on Snapchat. On Instagram it’s about likes, on Snapchat it’s about the streak. A snap streak is when you’ve been sending snaps directly to a person for a prolonged amount of time. To get the streak, you have to do it each day. If you miss a day, you lose the streak.
For some teens, snap streaks can turn into a measure of how much you care about someone or how much they care for you. It can get so obsessive that the streaks continue for over a year–and if you lose one, it can be devastating, it can even ruin a friendship. So, it’s easy to see how this obsession can grow into something problematic.
It can begin as something harmless, but if behavior increasingly becomes erratic and obsessive based around Snapchat, there may be a real issue. When a teen begins to place their self-worth on the number of likes, followers, or snaps they receive, it can be a sign that your teen may need therapeutic assistance.
Snapchat ranked among the worst social media for mental health
In a study conducted by Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the Young Health Movement (YHM), researchers found that Instagram and Snapchat are the worst for mental health in teens.
The data came from 1,500 youth, ages 14-24, in order to understand social media’s impact on the age group that uses it the most.
The researchers believe this is because the two platforms are largely based on image rather than anything else. It all focuses on followers and shallow status factors. Having your self esteem based on something so volatile and superficial can lead to serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, extreme feelings of loneliness, and more.
Solstice is a teen depression treatment center
Solstice is a groundbreaking residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18. Our girls and assigned female at birth often grapple with depression, Snapchat addiction, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral problems when they come to us. Dealing with these issues can get confusing and overwhelming fast–but we’re here to help guide you.
Through a unique combination of therapeutic programs based upon both traditional and holistic mental health treatment, we treat our clients with age and gender specific techniques. We strive to empower teenage people with the ability to believe in themselves and provide the tools and motivation required to instill these beliefs for life.
For more information about how we help with Snapchat addiction at Solstice, please contact us at (866) 278-3345.
