Social media addiction can lead to mental health challenges, says medical experts

Medical experts have affirmed that social media addiction can lead to mental health challenges, highlighting the health risks of excessive phone and social media usage, adding that the challenges might eventually lead to suicidal ideation, poor sleep and memory impairment among others.

Penpushing reports that the duo of Oluwagbemi Ibrahim, a Psychiatrist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and Oluwaseun Iyiola, Senior Registrar, Family Medicine at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan made this clear

The Psychiatrist explained that social media addiction could lead to depression, anxiety from cyberbullying and unhealthy comparison, emphasizing that the challenges might eventually lead to suicidal ideations, low self-esteem, poor sleep, reduced attention, memory impairment and poor academic performance.

Penpushing further reports that Ibrahim added that excessive phone and social media use, especially among young people, could cause fatigue, headache, burnout, irritability and eye and visual problems.

“There are also metabolic risks, as excessive social media usage encourages a sedentary lifestyle, which serves as a risk factor for conditions such as weight gain, diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. There is the risk of musculoskeletal problems such as wrist and thumb pain, and poor posture leading to chronic pain’, she said.

Penpushing also reports that she stated that the interventions that can help to mitigate health risks of social media addiction in young people include: limiting screen time and avoiding social media before bedtime.

The Psychiatrist explained that others include encouraging physical activity, promoting real-life social interaction, observing periods of abstinence from social media, especially when usage becomes excessive, and psychoeducation on healthy media use.

“Social media has no doubt revolutionised us, opening doors of great opportunities and helping to build society. However, as we navigate its use, it is imperative to engage responsibly, maximising its benefits and mitigating the harmful effects’, Ibrahim stated

Penpushing reports that the Senior Registrar on her part, said excessive social media use had been linked with increased anxiety, low mood and constant comparison, among others, stressing that  many young people feel pressured to look perfect, live a successful life, or keep up with unrealistic trends.

The registrar pointed out that, emotionally it can reduce attention span and make it harder to focus on schoolwork or even conversations, stressing that some young people also develop dependency and feel restless or upset when they are offline.

“Physically, long hours on phones can cause eye strain, headaches, neck and back pain, and poor posture. When screen time replaces movement and sleep, the body also suffers, socially; ironically, too much online interaction can reduce real-life connection. Also, some youths withdraw from family activities or struggle with face-to-face communication’, she said.

Penpushing further reports that Iyiola pointed out that with many hours spent scrolling, watching videos, or chatting online, there would be less time left for physical activities.

The registrar said children and adolescents might skip outdoor play, sports, or even simple movement such as walking, adding that this sedentary lifestyle, combined with frequent snacking while using phones, increases the risk of weight gain over time.

“Poor sleep, which often accompanies heavy phone use, also affects hormones that regulate appetite, making weight gain more likely. So, while social media does not directly cause obesity, excessive use strongly supports habits that increase the risk’, she said.

“Many adolescents stay up late on their phones, especially at night when supervision is lower; notifications, messages, videos, and fear of missing out keep the brain alert when it should be winding down’, Iyiola added

Penpushing also reports that the medical expert explained that to reduce health risks from social media addiction in young people, simple and practical steps could work better, and recommended that setting clear limits on screen time, especially at night, is very effective.

The family health physician warned that phones should ideally be kept out of bedrooms during sleep hours, and urged parents to always watch for the warning signs which she said include sudden mood changes, withdrawal from family, falling school performance, sleep problems, irritability when phones are restricted, loss of interest in previous activities, or constant phone checking.

Penpushing reports that Iyiola on how healthcare providers can screen for social media health-related issues, advised healthcare providers to ask simple questions during consultations, which include how many hours spent on phone daily among others.

“Questions such as, ‘How many hours do you spend on your phone daily?’ ‘Do you sleep with your phone nearby?’ Does social media ever make you feel anxious, sad, or pressured? These conversations, when done without judgment, often reveal a lot.”

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