The Effects of Social Media on ADHD 

How often do you notice yourself watching TikToks or Instagram reels at 2x speed? If you’re like me, someone who already struggles with patience, that feature is a blessing. However, in many cases, it is also a curse. While it satisfies our immediate need for gratification, it undermines our attention span and ability to focus, making even the most standard task feel unbearably slow. 

Social Media’s Impact on Attention Spans

Children are getting online as early as 8-years-old, despite most social media platforms (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) having a recommended age of 13+. That age limit isn’t a suggestion; it is there to protect young children from advanced content that their developing minds may not be ready for. These platforms not only expose them to trends that aren’t appropriate for their age, but also harm their attention span. Instagram and TikTok are especially designed for rapid engagement, where short videos and continuous scrolling are at the heart of their platforms’ design. When 8-year-olds are endlessly scrolling through TikTok before they’ve mastered necessary elementary skills, like long division or learning how to properly construct a paragraph, it’s no surprise that they struggle to focus for more than a few minutes. The consistent stream of fast-paced content trains their brains to expect instant gratification, making traditional learning environments feel much slower. 

Before discussing how this affects individuals with ADHD, it is important to more fully understand ADHD. 

Understanding ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development (American Psychiatric Association, 2025). Symptoms can vary in severity and often appear in childhood, though many individuals continue to experience them into adulthood.

A parent-reported data indicated that in 2002, 5.44% of U.S. elementary school children had been diagnosed with ADHD. (Schneider & Eisenberg, 2006). By 2022, 11.4% of children aged 3-17 years old reported as having ever received an ADHD diagnosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). ADHD diagnoses have skyrocketed alongside the rapid advancement of technology. While social media may not directly cause ADHD, it can exacerbate pre-existing symptoms and harm those already struggling with attention and impulse control (Reed, 2023). 

Strategies to Support Focus

Children nowadays struggle to focus more than they did 20 years ago. The American Psychological Association explores attention spans in their podcast, stating that in 2004, the average attention span was around 2.5 minutes. Within the last 5-6 years, it has shrunk significantly to 47 seconds. After listening to this podcast, I remember it as if it were just yesterday when my dad and I would sit at the kitchen counter, working through my math homework. I wasn’t allowed to leave until every problem was done, even if it took hours. It felt like an eternity, and was incredibly frustrating. With the average attention span today, I can hardly imagine how long it would take these children or how frustrating it must feel. It’s not because they’re lazy, but rather because their brains are constantly looking for the next dopamine rush, which does sound far more appealing than multiplying and dividing fractions.

While technology isn’t inherently harmful, it can foster negative habits that make traditional learning and attention management increasingly complex. Here are some effective strategies to combat the growing impact of social media on younger generations.

 Enforce age restrictions and incorporate parental controls. Preventing children from getting social media too early and limiting screen time could help reduce young children’s from facing overstimulation. 

Have children remove tablets and phones from their rooms before going to sleep. Making social media less accessible upon waking outs some distance between your child and social media from the outset of the day.

Schools can integrate practices that promote sustained focus and self-regulation. By setting boundaries and promoting healthier digital habits, we can help reverse the damage and support children in developing the focus and patience they need to thrive. 

Follow the same guidelines you ask your child to follow. It won’t hurt.