‘Social Media Addiction Is Turning Into A Mental Health Crisis’

Anuradha Singh, a post graduate in psychology from Lucknow University, says that the K-Craze is part of social media addiction affecting our children’s mental health. Her views:

The recent suicide case of three teenage sisters in Ghaziabad is deeply concerning which highlights a growing phenomenon among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. This is not an isolated case of “fandom gone wrong”; it is a glaring symptom of a modern teenage tendency known as maladaptive daydreaming and extreme digital escapism.

What happened in the Ghaziabad triple suicide case brings into focus: a) digital escapism, b) identity formation, and c) breakdown of traditional social boundaries. It will not at all be an exaggeration to call this world a Digital Cocoon in which this generation has shelled itself into.

There could be many reasons a teenager would become depressed, anxious, or experience social phobias while using social media. In addition, there are just as many reasons why social media is enticing to a teen with an existing mental health issue.

Most teens have difficulty regulating and expressing emotions, and also have a huge susceptibility to peer pressure. This puts them at risk for experiencing anxiety or depression as a result of social media, or for existing mental health issues to get worse.

Frequent use of social media actually rewires the developing teen brain to constantly seek out immediate gratification. Consequently, it can lead to other addictive behaviour. Sudden cessation of online social networking may in some chronic users trigger symptoms that at least partially resemble the ones seen during drug/alcohol/nicotine withdrawal.

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The problem lies at the intersection of parenting styles, technological design, and the allure of the virtual world. In my opinion, parenting plays a very critical role, as parental attitude and their own tech habits significantly influence children and teens. However, it is not that the child can remain unchecked if he or she lives alone or away. There is always a way out to remain connected with your children emotionally as they often seek gadgets as a solution for emotional upliftment.

Conflict often arises because parents focus on screen time or academic distraction, whereas the child views the fandom as a source of joy and clarity. Experts suggest that “resistance could be counterproductive” and recommend parents get involved and relate to their child’s choices instead of just depriving them. The Economic Survey 2025-26 in India recently has also flagged digital addiction as a major public health concern, noting it is tipping into “overconsumption” that affects attention spans and learning outcomes.

I would only like to conclude by saying that we must stop viewing social media addiction as a mere hobby or a phase. It is a mental health crisis and we need intergenerational dialogue where parents move from being gatekeepers to guides. We must encourage digital detox not as a punishment, but as a way to reconnect with the tangible world—the feel of the sun, the messiness of human conversation, and the value of a life lived outside the five-inch screen.

As told to Rajat Rai