The constant use of social media, online gaming, and other internet activities can cause a dopamine overload in the brain, which can lead to addiction and mental health problems, they said.
“Internet addiction is as bad as drug addiction,” said Dr Binda Singh, a clinical psychologist.
Psychologists have also raised concerns over the influence of social media celebrities on young minds. With their perfectly curated lives and aspirational lifestyles, social media celebrities have become role models for many teenagers and youths, often causing them to have unrealistic expectations of themselves and their lives.
“Teens are constantly bombarded with images of celebrities and influencers on social media, which can cause them to have unrealistic expectations of themselves and their lives. This can lead to low self-esteem and poor mental health,” Dr Singh said.
According to her, over absorption of social media content is also leading many teens these days to develop mixed views about their own mental and sexual identity.
“I have noticed lots of teens comparing themselves to social media celebrities which makes them feel like they are not good enough. It’s important that we educate them about the safe social media practices, and help them develop a healthy sense of self-esteem,” said Aiman Afreen, a psychology student.
Many teenagers nowadays prefer to spend their time online rather than socializing with their family and peers. This can lead to social isolation and poor communication skills, Afreen added.
To tackle this issue, psychologists recommend that parents and family members monitor their young children’s internet usage and set reasonable limits according to their age. They have also advised parents to encourage their children to engage in physical activities and face-to-face communication with their peers.
“Parents should be aware of the risks associated with excessive internet use and educate their teenagers to ensure that they have a healthy balance between online and offline activities,” said Dr Saurabh Singh, a city-based psychiatrist.
