Science Café – Is Social Media Addictive?

Social media is a constant presence in our lives, but is it truly addictive? In this engaging talk, Dr. Kim Hellemans will explore the rise of social media use, particularly among youth and young adults. She will discuss how social media impacts mental health, from fostering connections to contributing to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Dr. Hellemans will also unpack the neuroscience behind addiction, including the brain’s reward systems and how they are affected by addictive behaviors. The talk will conclude with an overview of problematic social media use and what the current evidence suggests about whether social media is truly “addictive”. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the risks and benefits of social media use, as well as key red flags for problematic use.

About the presenter:

Dr. Kim Hellemans is an Assistant Professor in Neuroscience and Associate Dean of Science at Carleton University. She has received several prestigious teaching awards that recognize her passion and dedication to university teaching, including the Provost’s Fellowship in Teaching Award and, most recently, the OCUFA Provincial Teaching Award. Her current research explores how early-life trauma and cannabis use relate to mental health and academic outcomes among university students. She is passionate about knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization and has created several freely available animations on the topic of neuroscience, addiction, and stigma. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast “Minding the Brain”.

To learn more about professor Hellemans, follow her on X @mindingthebrain