Social media and smartphone use have become an integral part of our lives in recent times. There has been a rapid surge in access to internet as well as media devices since the pandemic. In India, social media use is no longer restricted to urban areas. Internet access and social media usage in the young population in India have advanced from urban to rural areas.
A study conducted in two rural areas of Kolhapur district in India included 650 students aged between 15 and 18 years. The study noted that 87.86% of the adolescents in these areas used social media. A vast majority of the participants used it for entertainment and communication. Only a few used it for educational purposes.
Use of social media and smartphone devices can be good for the youth but if not used responsibly, they can have an adverse impact on their health and overall well-being.
This article discusses the impact of social media on the mental health of children and adolescents based on findings from some recent studies and reviews.