ISLAMABAD: A prominent psychiatrist on Saturday asserts that the prevalent influence of smartphones and social media on lives of young people is exacting a devastating impact on their mental health, prompting an urgent need for collective action from parents, policymakers, and youth themselves to mitigate the damage.
Dr. Nargis Asad, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at The Aga Khan University, Karachi, has raised concerns about the harmful impacts of smartphones and social media on young people’s mental health. In an exclusive interview with a private news channel, she emphasized that the increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and sleep disorders among youth is closely tied to excessive smartphone use and social media addiction.
She stressed the need for collective action from parents, educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals to combat these issues. She urged efforts to promote healthy digital habits among young people, including educating them on responsible smartphone use, setting boundaries, and encouraging offline activities. She also called for policies to regulate social media companies and protect young users from harmful content, advocating for a safer digital environment that supports youth mental well-being.
In response to a question, Dr. Nargis Asad underscored the importance of educating children about online safety, such as protecting personal information, avoiding inappropriate content, and understanding the consequences of their digital actions. She encouraged open communication between parents and children about their digital experiences to foster healthy online habits.
She also warned of the negative impact of excessive screen time on children’s attention spans, noting that preschoolers exposed to more than two hours of screen time daily had shorter attention spans. Additionally, she pointed out that the blue light emitted by phone screens can disrupt sleep by suppressing melatonin production, further affecting children’s physical health.
Experts also cautioned about the potential withdrawal symptoms associated with smartphone addiction in children, such as irritability, mood swings, and anxiety when separated from their devices. This can interfere with daily routines, making it harder for them to engage in activities like outdoor play, socializing, and completing chores.
