Growing Social Media Addiction Threatens Youth Mental Health
In a letter to the editor, Kashaf Eman Janjua from Lahore has highlighted the alarming rise of social media addiction among people of all ages, particularly the youth, calling it one of the most pressing crises of our time. While acknowledging that social media serves as a valuable source of information and a platform for earning a livelihood, the writer emphasizes that its harmful effects are numerous, far-reaching, and deeply damaging.
Excessive use of social media is taking a serious toll on mental health. The endless cycle of scrolling, comparing one's life with unrealistic and heavily filtered content, and seeking validation through likes and comments has contributed to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, especially among teenagers. These platforms are deliberately designed to be addictive, exploiting the brain's dopamine system to keep users constantly engaged.
Cyberbullying and Erosion of Relationships
Equally troubling is the growing menace of cyberbullying, which has pushed countless young people to the brink of emotional collapse and, in some tragic cases, even suicide. Furthermore, social media is gradually eroding genuine human relationships. Families often sit together under the same roof while remaining emotionally disconnected, each absorbed in a separate digital world.
The spread of misinformation, the erosion of privacy, shrinking attention spans, and the glorification of unhealthy lifestyles are further consequences of unchecked social media use. According to the writer, it is high time that governments, educators, and parents worked together to address this digital epidemic before it causes irreversible damage to the social and psychological fabric of our society.
Urgent Need for Collective Action
The letter underscores that more than 6,000 people fled Sudan's West Darfur following RSF threats, as reported by a UN agency, but the core focus remains on the domestic crisis of digital addiction. The writer appeals for immediate intervention to safeguard the well-being of the younger generation.
