Stuck on Scroll: Clinical Strategies for Internet and Social Media Overuse and Addiction

As screen time continues to rise across all age groups, mental health professionals are seeing increasing impacts of internet, social media, and technology overuse on emotional, relational, and psychological well-being. This webinar equips clinicians with a practical, research-informed understanding of screen addiction and problematic digital behaviors, exploring how these issues manifest in clinical settings and what can be done to address them effectively.

Participants will examine recent data on prevalence and risk factors, learn about the psychological and sociological mechanisms behind compulsive screen use (including social comparison, algorithmic reinforcement, and attachment dynamics), and gain tools to assess and treat clients struggling with digital overuse. The webinar offers evidence-based strategies including CBT, motivational interviewing, and digital wellness planning that can be integrated into therapeutic practice to help clients regain control, set boundaries, and develop healthier relationships with technology.

Objectives:

• Identify signs and symptoms of problematic internet, social media, and screen use, and distinguish between high engagement and clinically significant behavioral addiction.
• Analyze the psychological, neurological, and sociocultural factors contributing to screen overuse, including reward mechanisms, social reinforcement, and algorithmic design.
• Implement evidence-based clinical strategies to assess, intervene, and support clients in developing healthier digital habits and reducing screen-related distress.