Understanding Social Media and Maladaptive Behaviour
Written by Brittney Khalil
In our modern, hyper-connected world, the line between healthy digital engagement and maladaptive behaviour is becoming unfortunately increasingly thin. While smartphones and social media are designed to foster connection, they can also become catalysts for behaviours that hinder our personal growth and interfere with our daily responsibilities.
Defining the Maladaptive Tipping Point
The term “maladaptive” refers to behaviours that prevent an individual from adapting healthily to new or difficult circumstances. Maladaptive can be addictive, unhealthy and/or unsafe behaviours that affect social and personal constructs.
Behaviours Tell ALL
It is essential to remember that all behaviours have a function causing us to take a SEAT. In simple and layman terms, the acronym SEAT, discusses behaviours as sensory/automatic, escape/avoidance, attention and tangibility/access.
In relation to social media, when someone becomes preoccupied with chatting online or begins giving out identifying details to strangers, it is rarely about the technology itself. Instead, these behaviours may be a response to deeper needs, such as: a search for autonomy and relationships, unfortunately, than creating a parasocial relationship with individuals online. Coping with anxiety by hiding behind a screen allows someone to take control on how they are viewed online which reduces symptoms of social anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
How can we make social media and phone usage a healthy habit?
Moving Toward Healthy Integration
Shifting away from maladaptive digital habits requires a collaborative approach grounded in safety, trust, and consistency. Rather than viewing technology as the problem, it is important to understand the role it serves and help individuals develop a healthier relationship with it.
Creating a digital safety plan can foster a greater sense of security in both the physical and digital worlds. This may include establishing healthy online boundaries, replacing passive scrolling with purposeful activities, implementing screen-time protections, creating technology-free spaces and times, and maintaining consistent expectations across home, school, and other environments.
For children, boundaries are especially important. Healthy digital habits are developed through consistent routines, age-appropriate limits, and caregiver involvement. Examples include delaying access to social media until developmentally appropriate, limiting screen use before bedtime, encouraging device-free family meals, keeping devices out of bedrooms at night, monitoring online interactions, and modelling balanced technology use as adults. These boundaries help children develop self-regulation, emotional awareness, and meaningful connections beyond the screen while reducing the risks associated with excessive digital engagement.
The goal of therapy is not necessarily to eliminate technology, but to help individuals integrate it in a way that supports their overall well-being. By understanding the “why” behind the scroll, whether it is connection, boredom, avoidance, validation, or emotional regulation, we can begin to address those underlying needs through healthier, more fulfilling strategies. When technology becomes one tool among many, rather than the primary source of comfort or connection, individuals are better equipped to cultivate balance, resilience, and authentic engagement in their daily lives.