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Searching for Social Media Addiction: A Content Analysis of Top Websites Found through Online Search Engines

Author

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  • Alexis M. McCarroll

    (Department of Communication and Media, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Bree E. Holtz

    (Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Dar Meshi

    (Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

Abstract

Disordered social media use, often referred to as “social media addiction”, has not been officially recognized by medical bodies such as the American Psychiatric Association or the World Health Organization. However, websites still present information to laypeople on how to treat and manage social media addiction, which can pose the risk of spreading low quality or incorrect information. As such, we aimed to assess how the most popular social media addiction websites present information across multiple metrics. We conducted an in-depth online search to identify the top social media addiction websites in November 2019 (N = 23). Websites were separated into four distinct classifications: (1) treatment/therapy/medical; (2) informational; (3) news article; and (4) blog/essay. Based on previous website analysis research, three trained coders evaluated these websites on six metrics: (1) design; (2) credibility; (3) accessibility; (4) literacy; (5) engagement; and (6) social media addiction content. Design features were the top-rated metric across all websites, followed by credibility. Websites scored the lowest for the engagement and social media addiction content metrics. Across website classifications, scores for social media addiction content varied greatly, with blog/essay websites ranking the lowest and informational websites ranking the highest. Our findings provide necessary information for both patients and healthcare providers, apprising these individuals and the field about the current online health information landscape for disordered social media use.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexis M. McCarroll & Bree E. Holtz & Dar Meshi, 2021. "Searching for Social Media Addiction: A Content Analysis of Top Websites Found through Online Search Engines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10077-:d:642902
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sillence, Elizabeth & Briggs, Pam & Harris, Peter Richard & Fishwick, Lesley, 2007. "How do patients evaluate and make use of online health information?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(9), pages 1853-1862, May.
    2. Daria J. Kuss & Mark D. Griffiths, 2011. "Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-25, August.
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