Both things use chemical reactions in the brain to create an addiction. The only difference is that smoking is regulated.

I do not think they are the same. People addicted to social media can be locked in a room for a week, without social media, and show no adverse withdrawal symptoms. If you try the same to people addicted to drugs, they might die.

They’re also not the same thing because one is named “drugs” and the other is named “TikTok”

But putting pointless distinctions aside, an addiction is an addiction. Gambling addicts won’t die if you lock them in a room for a week (with food and water…), but they’ll go back gambling once you let them out.

Same with TikTok and other social media. They’re creating real addictions in people with real consequences. I’m not an expert scientist doctor man, but afaik addictions are bad.

Huh? I do believe they'd act the same as nicotine addicts; that is, irritable, bored, unfocused, antsy

Literally anything you do creates a "chemical reaction in the brain". That's how brains work.

It’s worse

Smoking can't be harnessed to control people, social media can be.

Also, smoking is socially neutral at worst, arguably even positive. You don’t stop seeing your mates because you really want to stay at home chain smoking. In fact, you probably smoke with your mates.

On the other hand, the constant drip feed of dopamine from social media sites does make people care less about real social interactions.