Team calls for more research into the emotional and motivational brain mechanisms behind social media use

With nearly 5 billion users worldwide spending an average of more than two hours daily on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, the impact of social media on mental health and well-being has garnered increasing attention. Concerns about excessive and problematic usage, particularly among vulnerable adolescents, have led to discussions around terms such as “brain hacking,” “dopamine trigger,” and “social media addiction.” However, there is limited scientific understanding of the relationship between social media and the brain.