Can anxiety in lonely night owls trigger social media addiction?

By Stephen Beech

Loneliness and anxiety among "night owls" trigger smartphone and social media addiction, according to new research.

Young adults who stay up all hours are more prone to developing "problematic" relationships with technology due to a "vicious cycle" as a result of being more active in the evening, say scientists.

The researchers say phone addiction is characterized by anxiety when separated from one’s device, neglecting responsibilities in favor of phone use, and compulsively checking notifications.

Social media addiction is similarly marked by excessive, uncontrolled usage that interferes with daily life.

Nearly 40% of UK students are now believed to show signs of social media addiction, with young women at particularly high risk.

Previous research has linked regu