Almost every teenager uses social media. That is not addiction. The difference lies in control, consequences, and what happens when the phone is gone. These are the signs mental-health professionals look for, and what a parent can document today.
Loss of Control
The teen tries to cut back and cannot; uses the phone secretly in the early morning; lies about time spent in the apps. According to Pew Research (December 2025), 34% of Hispanic teens use TikTok "almost constantly", triple the rate of white teens.
Changes in Sleep and Mood
Sleeping under six hours, extreme irritability when the phone is taken away, withdrawal from family and in-person friends. The CDC reports that 42% of Hispanic high-school students felt persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2023.
Body-Image Obsession
Constant comparison with influencers, filters on every photo, comments about "being fat," skipping meals, compulsive exercise. Internal documents revealed at the Los Angeles trial showed Instagram knew its features worsened body image for teen girls.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
Cuts, burns, phrases like "I don't want to be here." This is a medical emergency: call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, with Spanish-language support) or go to the emergency room. Your child's safety comes first; documents come after.
What to Document Starting Today
Save screenshots of screen-time reports (Apple "Screen Time" or Google "Digital Wellbeing"), dates of therapy and doctor appointments, school emails about behavior changes, and the account usernames. Do not delete the accounts: they are evidence.
When to Talk to a Lawyer
If there is a formal diagnosis and heavy use began before age 18, a conversation is worthwhile. At Centro de Acción Legal the consultation is free and in Spanish, and we explain what records are needed and what the deadlines are in California.