At 19, Aanya had over 30,000 followers on Instagram. Her pictures were perfect — glowing skin, happy cafes, curated aesthetics. But behind the filters, she was drowning. Every like felt like a dopamine hit, every unfollow like a personal failure. She’d scroll for hours, comparing herself to strangers. At night, she cried quietly, feeling never enough.

Aanya is not alone. In today’s hyper-connected world, Gen Z and Millennials are more visible — and more vulnerable — than ever before.

The Social Dilemma

Social media has given young people a platform to express, connect, and create. But it’s also become a mirror that magnifies insecurities.

Here’s how social media affects mental health:

Addiction: Likes, shares, and stories become emotional currency

Comparison culture: Leads to low self-esteem and body image issues

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Creates anxiety, especially during isolation

Cyberbullying: Often unnoticed by parents or schools, but deeply damaging

Sleep disruption: Doomscrolling and late-night anxiety

But Why Can’t They Just Log Off?

Because for many, online is the new reality. It’s where they study, work, socialize, and even seek validation. Disconnecting feels like disappearing.

And in small towns or rural areas where opportunities to express are few, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or Snapchat become both a stage — and a trap.

What Can Be Done?

Digital detox doesn’t mean quitting — it means creating boundaries.

Teach media literacy — Help youth understand that online perfection is an illusion.

Encourage offline hobbies — Dance, music, journaling, nature walks.

Create safe online spaces — Peer support groups, anonymous chats, mental health influencers.

Parent-teen communication — Replace control with conversation.

Aanya now speaks at schools, saying: “Don’t let the screen dim your light. You’re more than a post.”Let’s help our youth live fully — not just virtually. Because behind every profile is a person, and they deserve peace, not pressure.