Lead story: Take a break from social media for better mental health

In today’s digital age, social media plays a big part in people’s lives. But experts are raising concerns about how too much time online is affecting mental health, especially in teens and young adults.

Studies show that spending too much time on social media platforms can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and sleep problems. Mental health professionals say the constant scrolling and comparison with others online creates stress and the pressure to appear perfect.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than three hours of social media use per day may increase the risk of mental health problems. Some research suggests that even two hours a day could be harmful for teenagers. The ideal screen time for healthy balance is less than two hours of recreational use daily, not including school or work.

Dr Amanpreet Singh, a clinical psychologist, said, “Many young people check their phones every few minutes. They feel anxious if they don’t get likes or replies quickly. Over time, this affects their confidence and can even lead to depression.”

Take 17-year-old Anika Sharma, for example. She used to spend over five hours daily on social media. “I started feeling like everyone else was doing better than me,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep and I felt down all the time.” After reducing her screen time, Anika said she feels less anxious and more focused in school.

Experts say some signs of unhealthy social media use include— feeling sad or irritated after scrolling, losing interest in real-life activities, checking apps even during meals or late at night and trouble sleeping. To stay mentally healthy, experts suggest taking regular breaks, turning off notifications, setting time limits and spending more time offline with family or amidst nature.

“Social media is not all bad. But like junk food, too much of it can harm you. It is about finding the right balance,” said Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur. As the digital world keeps growing, so does the need for awareness on how it affects our minds, she added.