Stories of teens with social media addiction

First let me start by myself b before sharing other people’s story.

🙃 “Instagram was my escape… until it started messing with my head.”

– Sinnit, 17, Johnston Heights Secondary

When I moved to Canada in August, everything felt upside down. New country, new school, new people and let’s not forget the weather! (Seriously, why does it rain so much in Surrey?) I was nervous all the time, and even though I smiled during class, deep down I felt lost. I missed my old life, my friends, and even the small things like hearing familiar voices around me. I didn’t know how to fit in, and honestly, I just wanted to feel normal again.

That’s when Instagram became my comfort zone. I started spending hours on it during breaks, at lunch, after school, even late at night. It was my escape. I thought it was helping me forget the stress of being in a new place. But instead, it was doing the opposite. I kept seeing people with “perfect” lives cute selfies, dream vacations, friends hanging out and it made me feel like I was falling behind in everything. I started comparing myself without even noticing. I was quiet, moody, and stopped calling my family as often. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, and I’d just scroll to numb the feeling.

By January, I was tired. Tired of feeling like I was never enough. Tired of being glued to a screen. So I made a big decision: I deleted Instagram. Was it easy? Not at all. The first few weeks were like a rollercoaster. One day I’d feel proud, and the next I’d sneak back and re-install it like, “Just one scroll won’t hurt…” (Spoiler: it always did). I deleted and re-installed that app more times than I can count. It was like having a toxic best friend you know they’re bad for you, but you keep going back.

But slowly, things started to change. Without Instagram, I had time to actually breathe. I started sleeping better, eating properly (not just chips and juice), and spending more time doing things that made me feel good. I even started going for walks and journaling, just to clear my head. I still use Snapchat, but only to talk with people I care about. No more endless scrolling, no more comparing.

Now, I feel lighter. I’m still adjusting to life in Canada, but I feel like I’m finally living my life, not watching someone else’s. Social media isn’t all bad but if it starts making you forget who you are, maybe it’s time to take a break. Trust me, your peace is worth way more than a like or a comment.

💔 “I felt invisible without likes” – Maya, 14

“I posted a selfie and waited. Ten minutes. No likes. I deleted it.
I didn’t realize how much my confidence depended on hearts and comments. I started editing my photos, comparing myself to influencers, and feeling like I was never ‘enough.’ I’d stare at my phone, hoping someone would notice me.
One day, I broke down crying after scrolling through perfect pictures of people I didn’t even know. That’s when I knew something had to change.
I’m still learning, but now I remind myself: I don’t need likes to matter.”
secondary student of – Earl Marriott Secondary School

💻 “I study computers—but I lost control of mine.” – Georgia, 23, SFU Computer Science Student

“As a computer science student, I’m online all the time—coding, attending virtual classes, joining group chats. But I didn’t realize how much time I was spending on social media until it started affecting my mental health.
I’d jump on Instagram or Reddit between tasks, telling myself it was just a short break. But hours would pass. My assignments got rushed, my sleep got worse, and I constantly felt drained. I was ‘busy,’ but not productive.
One night, I missed a major deadline because I got stuck doomscrolling. That’s when I knew I needed a change. I installed screen trackers and blocked social apps during school hours. It wasn’t easy at first, but now I feel clearer and more focused.
As much as I love tech, I’ve learned that balance is everything.”

📲 “I care for kids all day but forgot to care for myself.” – Fatuma, 21, Childcare Worker in Surrey, BC

Fatuma, 21, works full-time in childcare in Surrey, British Columbia.

After spending her days caring for toddlers, changing diapers, comforting tears, and creating safe spaces, she found herself mentally and physically exhausted by the time she got home. Instead of resting properly, she would collapse on the couch and spend hours endlessly scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. What started as a way to relax turned into a daily habit of staying up until 2 or 3 a.m., skipping meals (especially breakfast), and waking up feeling groggy, unfocused, and drained. Her skin began to break out, her eyes looked constantly tired with noticeable dark circles, and her emotions felt out of control. She became tearful, irritable, and anxious over small things. Fatuma also began experiencing unsettling dreams, often feeling lost or unheard in them, which made her sleep even less restful. One morning, after nearly fainting at work due to fatigue and lack of breakfast, she realized something needed to change.

Determined to regain control, Fatuma set simple but powerful goals. She installed a screen-time tracker and set daily app limits, placed her phone in a different room before bed, and committed to 30 minutes of screen-free time each morning. She also began preparing healthy smoothies for breakfast and started a twice-a-week gym routine, along with light stretching to ease the tension in her body. Motivated by her reflection in the mirror, she adopted a basic skincare routine to help heal her acne and tired-looking eyes and began using lubricating drops and the 20-20-20 rule to reduce digital eye strain. In just eight weeks, Fatuma’s sleep improved, her energy increased, her skin began to clear, and most importantly, she felt emotionally balanced and present in her everyday life again. Although she still uses social media, she now does it with intention does not escape. Her story is a reminder that self-care isn’t selfish, and even small changes can bring back your sense of peace and control.

Sara, a dedicated gym staff member, carries full responsibility during her shifts.

Despite the physically active nature of her job, she finds that the few hours she has after work are mostly spent scrolling through TikTok or watching movies, rather than taking care of herself through exercise or social activities. Sara recognizes that staying in her comfort zone, glued to her phone, is limiting her personal growth. She dreams of stepping outside that bubble, starting a meaningful relationship that brings her happiness and fulfillment, instead of passively consuming social media content. Sara wishes to use her free time more intentionally, embracing new experiences and connections rather than retreating into endless scrolling. Her story highlights a common struggle: balancing work demands with self-care and genuine social engagement in a world dominated by digital distractions.

⚽ “I’m pretty good with my screen time, but sometimes it gets to me.”

– David, 12, Secondary School Student

David is a bright 12-year-old secondary school student who manages his social media use better than many of his friends. He knows how to set limits and doesn’t spend endless hours scrolling like some teens do. But even with his careful habits, David sometimes finds himself affected by what his peers post online, their exciting trips, new gadgets, or seemingly perfect lives. These posts make him question his own self-worth and wonder if he’s missing out.

Outside social media, David loves watching soccer and basketball games, often spending hours following his favorite teams and players. For him, sports are a great way to relax and connect with friends who share his passion. But sometimes, the time he dedicates to watching games and social media can add up, making it hard to balance with schoolwork and family time.

David’s story shows that even teens who are responsible with their media use can struggle with the pressure social media creates. It’s a reminder that self-worth shouldn’t be measured by likes or followers and that finding balance between screen time, hobbies, and real-life connections is key to feeling happy and confident.

📸 “I feel like if I don’t post, people will forget about me.”

– Belul, 17, Student at Johnston Heights Secondary

Belul is a 17-year-old student at Johnston Heights Secondary in Surrey, BC. Like many teens, her phone is a big part of her daily routine. During lunch breaks, she’s often on her phone, checking notifications, replying to Snaps, or sharing pictures of her meal with captions and filters. In the evening, her screen time continues as she scrolls through stories, posts updates, and chats with friends. Her favorite app is Snapchat, where she shares almost everything: outfits, moods, moments, even small things like her coffee order or the weather.

For Belul, posting is more than just fun, it’s a way to stay connected and feel seen. She admits that sometimes she feels pressure to keep up her streaks or to post often so her friends don’t forget about her. While she enjoys the interaction and attention, she also notices that constantly being online can be exhausting and distracts her from more peaceful or focused activities.

Belul’s story reflects the modern teen experience, where the need for connection often comes with the pressure to constantly share. Her experience reminds us how important it is to find balance, enjoy the present moment offline, and know that being “seen” doesn’t always have to happen through a screen.