Screen Use and The Impact on Attention
Social Media and ADHD
There are varying opinions about social media and its impact on society. One might consider how social media and technology connect us to the community and offer outlets to share. However, another position discusses that scrolling and social media use can mimic and exacerbate symptoms of ADHD. Now that generations have seen the long effects of recurrent social media use across decades, researchers are focusing on how to protect and support children from social media and screen time.
Research has found that children with ADHD are at a higher risk of being drawn to digital media, including games and social media, because these platforms often provide more immediate rewards that are especially appealing to them (Thorell et al., 2022). This increased attraction can make children with ADHD more susceptible to developing addiction problems. Furthermore, extensive digital media use can worsen ADHD symptoms and related issues, both directly—due to features like violent content, fast pace, multitasking, and quick rewards—and indirectly, by negatively impacting academic performance and social relationships.
Another contributing factor to social media related to ADHD is the impact of scrolling. Individuals with ADHD often have sensitive nervous systems and when chronic scrolling occurs “It amplifies worry, sadness, and anger, often leading to irritability and mood swings. Over time, this stress can result in emotional exhaustion or a sense of hopelessness” (Guy-Evans, 2025). Intervening in the social media boom is essential, as increased screen time may raise the risk of psychological disorders like anxiety and depression. Because chronic social media use can resemble ADHD and related conditions, clinicians must carefully distinguish between these disorders and comorbidities for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment recommendations.
Clinicians recommend several interventions and strategies such as creating alternatives for children to experience dopamine. First, promote offline activities including sports or physical activity, family time to play games or get creative with a craft, and encourage curiosity and imagination. It is also recommended to set clear boundaries and routines such as time limits for use with parental controls, giving warnings for transitioning away from screen use, and breaking screen time into small chunks such as twenty to thirty minutes to prevent overstimulation or behavioral dysregulation. Most importantly, teach children self-regulation skills through deep breathing, grounding, and mindfulness. Parents can do this by modeling behavior; for example, if you are stressed after work and need to decompress, avoid scrolling on your phone and try a walk and practice deep breathing. Additionally, parents can engage in purposeful media such as using the virtual public library or using media to research interests.
At Lexington Counseling and Psychiatry, our clinicians can diagnose, treat, and prescribe management for ADHD. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. We have been a trusted mental health treatment provider in Central Kentucky for 25 years! Call our offices today to schedule or learn more at 859-338-0466.
Supported Articles:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11272698/
https://creyos.com/blog/adhd-and-social-media
https://www.simplypsychology.org/adhd-doomscrolling.html
