TREATING SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENTS

With internet capabilities and the ability to build virtual connections increasing, there is concern that virtual connections may have an impact on humans’ real-world connections and mental health. Virtual connections on social media allow users to create their own realities and take part in others’ created realities, exposing them to potentially harmful content and users while disrupting pleasure centers in the brain. Disruption of pleasure centers can result in social media addiction, which can complicate real life interactions and affect the mental health status of users. Based on my understanding of music’s influence on adolescent users, I propose that music therapy could help adolescent users be mindful of the impacts of social media and encourage them to strengthen off-line relationships. The purpose of this thesis was to conduct a scoping review of current treatments for social media addiction in adolescents. The findings of this scoping review highlight the potential of music therapy and music therapists in addressing adolescent social media addiction through interventions informed by the COM-B model, targeting capability, opportunity, and motivation for behavior change. The findings also extend to broader applications, offering insights for educators, mental health practitioners, and policymakers who are developing multidisciplinary, evidence-informed approaches to promote healthier digital engagement among young people. This information can contribute to the understanding of how music therapists can address social media addiction.