hot take:
addictive screen use isn't leading to mental health issues in the youth, it's a symptom.
society increasingly doesn't care, so kids are trying to compensate.
that doesn't mean that commercial social media isn't designed to be addictive. the truth is that kids not properly cared for will be addicted to _something_. it's just another thing to get addicted to, which is easily accessible and doesn't raise immediate suspicion.
if it wasn't media consumption, it would be booze, weed or something else.