Social media is both a boon and a curse for children. There has been a huge change in education for children after the Covid-19 pandemic. Everything from taking notes and live classes to keeping in touch with your loved ones through WhatsApp or sharing memes on social media is now available online. Although this has made things convenient, it has also increased the screen time significantly. Many children have also started making their career through social media and are not taking their studies seriously. So to prevent this, the Australian government announced that the age limit for children to start using social media is 16 years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke about the harmful effects of social media on children. He said parents and grandparents are concerned about their children’s online safety.

But will this prevent children from being exposed to social media? Should India also consider banning social media platforms? We contacted mental health experts who explained how such a move would impact the mental health of children.

Dr. Shubhra S Khurana, founder of psychologist and mental health startup White Apples, says that banning or not banning social media for young children or teenagers at the policy level of any country is unlikely to make any difference. “The genie is out of the bottle and hence the use of screens in children’s lives cannot be reduced or eliminated. Children and adolescents are in a very neuroplastic state as their brains are developing. They need more physical activity, avenues of socialization and intellectual stimulation to get the developing brain up to speed,” she said.

How does social media affect thinking ability, concentration, focus in children?

The use of social media has engulfed not only children and youth but also adults who are glued to gadgets and various applications. Our concentration has become more focused on knowing what is happening in other people’s lives and then comparing and fearing not having those so-called good moments in our lives.

“Humans have been taken over by machines which limit our ability to think as we have become completely slaves to gadgets that were invented sometimes for convenience and sometimes for entertainment or knowledge. Now with these applications that rewrite your projects and letters, they have not only tightened their grip on humans but I would say have tightened the noose on us as well,” said Founder of Music – A Holistic Heal, Mumbai And physician Dr. Roshan Mansukhani (HC) said.

Dr. Shilpi Saraswat, Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist at Sakra World Hospital Bengaluru, explains that teenagers are generally glued to their gadgets and there is a need to understand the concept and link between them. digital detox And mental well-being. “First we need to understand why we need a digital detox. Excessive use of social media and being online leads to poor self-image, sleep problems, lack of confidence, depression, anxiety, weight gain, poor body image, unhealthy eating habits, poor time management, poor social relationships etc. These things are continuously coming to light. Growth that is affecting their ability to think, concentrate and concentrate,” she said.

How can a social media detox help boost mental health?

A social media detox can significantly improve mental health. It relieves anxiety, reduces stress and allows the person to stop making negative self-comparisons. Dr Gorav Gupta, senior psychiatrist and CEO of Tulsi Healthcare, explains that avoiding constant notifications and online interactions allows the mind to rest better and hence, improves focus and promotes mindfulness. “Most people are said to experience improved self-esteem along with mental clarity during this break. Healthy real-life relationships and a balanced lifestyle are also supported as it ensures emotional well-being and a more positive outlook towards life,” he said.

Dr. Shilpi suggests unplugging yourself for at least 1-2 hours a day every day and then continuing this for 24 hours once a week. This will have many benefits like feeling calm and satisfied, relaxation, self-control, better mood, quality time with yourself and your loved ones, better sleep.

How can banning social media improve physical health?

According to experts, suddenly banning social media can make children or teenagers aggressive because you are taking away from them something to which they are glued. Dr. Shilpi says that banning social media may not work, but putting in place some strict guidelines may work. “It can help enhance quality of life, especially in teens and pre-teens and it promotes mental well-being, relieving us of comparison and body image issues,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gorav says that stopping the use of social media will improve a person’s health because physical activities will increase when social media addiction decreases. “Spending less time on screens also means spending time exercising, reducing sedentary behavior that leads to problems like obesity, poor posture or eye strain. It also ensures better sleep as it avoids blue light content that disrupts sleep patterns. In short, banning social media leads to an active lifestyle and good health,” he said.

Many children and early teens have careers on social media, what impact will this have on their lives and overall health

Dr Geeta Shroff, co-founder of Lighthouse Counseling Centre, says that a career in social media at such a young age brings with it opportunities and challenges. It encourages creativity and brings in income yet often creates stress, performance pressure and constant scrutiny that affects mental health. “Mental problems arising from such careers include anxiety, low self-esteem and burnout. Spending too much time on screens also impairs physical health as it causes eye strain, disrupts sleep patterns and reduces physical activity,” she said.

Could banning social media for teens improve their mental health?

Dr Mathews Joseph Panicker, consultant psychiatrist at Chinmaya Mission Hospital, explains that restricting social media can encourage teenagers to explore alternative interests like reading and art, which support mental health and provide an opportunity to connect with the real world. Make relationships. However, Dr. Panikkar warns that social media and Internet use can become addictive over time, and if it is suddenly banned, teens who are already dependent on it may lose their need for stimulation. May seek other sources for fulfillment, potentially leading to new forms of addiction. Instead, a regulated approach can prevent overdependence, allowing teens to use social media thoughtfully while gradually moving toward healthier, more gratifying activities.

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