Marriage Counsellor and Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo

In the past decade, social media has become an inseparable part of teenagers’ lives. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook have transformed how young people communicate, learn, and express themselves. While social media offers connection and entertainment, it also presents significant risks to teenagers’ emotional and mental well-being. Understanding these impacts is essential for parents, educators, and teens themselves, explains India’s top couples therapist and psychologist, Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

How Social Media Impacts the Emotional and Mental Health of Teenagers?

Self-esteem

One of the most notable effects of social media is its influence on self-esteem. Teenagers often compare themselves to carefully curated images and highlight reels shared by peers and influencers. This constant comparison can create feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and low self-worth.

For example, seeing friends on luxurious vacations or receiving hundreds of likes on a photo may lead teens to feel that their own lives are dull or unimportant. Over time, this can damage their confidence and create a distorted perception of reality.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is another serious issue linked to social media use. Unlike traditional bullying, online harassment can occur around the clock, leaving teenagers with no safe space to escape. Hurtful comments, rumors, or threats shared publicly can have devastating effects on a young person’s mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts. Studies show that victims of cyberbullying are more likely to experience emotional distress compared to those who are bullied offline.

Validation

The need for validation also affects teenagers’ emotional stability. Many young people become dependent on likes, comments, and followers to feel valued. When posts do not receive the expected engagement, teens may feel rejected or unworthy. This constant quest for approval can trigger stress and mood swings, undermining emotional resilience.

Sleep disruption

Sleep disruption is an additional factor often overlooked. Excessive screen time, especially late at night, interferes with healthy sleep patterns. Blue light emitted from phones can suppress melatonin production, making it difficult to fall asleep. Lack of proper rest affects concentration, academic performance, and mood regulation. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to higher rates of depression and irritability among teenagers.

Moreover, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is intensified by social media. Teenagers are frequently exposed to posts showcasing events, gatherings, and experiences they were not part of. This fear can lead to loneliness, social anxiety, and a feeling of exclusion. To avoid missing updates, some teens remain online constantly, further increasing stress levels.

However, it is important to note that social media is not inherently harmful. When used mindfully, it can help teenagers maintain friendships, find support communities, and learn new skills. The key lies in developing healthy boundaries and balancing online activity with real-world interactions.

Social media has a profound impact on teenagers’ emotional and mental health. From self-esteem issues and cyberbullying to sleep problems and anxiety, the risks are real and significant. Encouraging open conversations about online experiences, setting time limits, and promoting offline activities can help mitigate these effects. By fostering awareness and responsible usage, parents and educators can support teenagers in navigating social media in healthier, more positive ways.

For several couples, being stuck inside together in their little spaces for a certain week seems like a dream come true. But for other couples, this might be their worst nightmare. From what has been heard, that some couples quarantined together are already losing their minds and you have got a long way to go.

As you are all being told to follow and practice social distancing, and even in certain cases, being instructed not to leave the house completely unless for critical purposes, couples are being quarantined together for an indefinite period of time. If you are feeling stressed out about the effects of coronavirus on your relationship, understand that you are not alone, and your anxious reaction to being quarantined with your partner is just normal.

Today, Delhi based Psychologist, Marriage Counselor and Relationship Expert Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares a few tips to keep your relationship away from destroying during quarantine and lockdown.

How To Maintain Your Relationship?

Any kind of sudden change takes plenty of time to adjust to, and when you are all navigating something unprecedented such as the Covid-19, further beings asked to work from home and being around your significant other round the clock, this is plenty of changes at once. There’s also, plenty of uncertainty right now, and your stress levels are high. So, being suddenly enclosed in an apartment or home with your partner round the clock, when you are not used to it, with everything else, is a lot for your mind has to cope with.”

In order to assist, you cope with all of these modifications, here are some of the tips that could be helpful.

Make Some Time For Alone Time

Alone time every day is essential. Everybody needs time for themselves and it cannot only be when you use the bathroom. Take time to be alone whether this is to simply breathe, text with a friend, sleeping, read and whatever that you are interested in. The crucial thing is to take time to be with you, yourself, and only you.”

Try to arrange timing with your partner, that way, when you are having your alone time, your partner can have theirs, as well. You both require time apart from each other to reboot and make sure that you do not rip each other’s eyes out.

Make A Schedule

Several of you are struggling to keep a normal schedule presently, which is a sad thing because most of you rely on schedules for a sense of stability and even to counter things such as anxiety and depression.

Couples need to sit down together and come up with a tentative schedule to add some structure and make things seem a little normal. This is specifically helpful for couples navigating working from home together that too for the first time, or being around each other more than normal. You can also use this period to set some normal ground rules about noise or interruptions while working.

Keep In Touch With Outside World

Sadly, during this period, this is not possible (actually, possible but quite ill-advised PLEASE do not do it unless it is a sort of an emergency. The total objective of social distancing is to avoid the spreading of germs, and that only is possible when you all stay home. But, thanks to modern technology, there are several ways to communicate with others. Do not neglect relationships with friends and loved ones who are not your partner.

Ensure that you have 1 to 2 phone calls every day with other people that are helpful to your mental health and overall sanity and connection. Plan video chats or phone calls with at least a friend or family member daily. It is paramount to maintain your other relationships, even while you are mainly with your partner.

Learn How To Communicate Better

Communication is a base in every relationship, but when you are quarantined together all around the clock, communication is even more essential. Part of this is learning to fight well-meaning being compassionate, and not engaging in ridiculing, name-calling, or shaming. You are all going to lose it for what sounds like no reason, you are going to be rude or not the best version of yourself and that is fine, you need to give yourself and your partner grace.

Use This Time To Your Advantage

If you are amongst those couples who live together but rarely ever see each other due to conflicting work schedules or social lives, this is the time to reconnect. Although it does not feel good to be trapped at home, you can still utilize the most of it and do fun activities with your partner.

Here are some of the things that you can do.

• Spend extra time, learn and explore new things about each other.
• Play games together.
• Clean, redecorate and make your home look good.