Mary is an ordinary 16-year-old girl who loves keeping up with trends and sharing selfies. She has a decent number of followers on her social media accounts, and her friends often comment on her photos, praising her for being fun. On the surface, her life seems glamorous, but in reality. Mary's life is deeply tied to the small screen in her hands. Every day after school. she immediately grabs her phone to scroll through short videos, spending an average of seven hours a day in front of the screen. When her friends burst into laughter over an online "hot topic" she missed, Mary feels an indescribable sense of exclusion. Even worse, she notices that if she]doesn't receive enough likes or comments, her mood plummets, leaving her questioning her self-worth.
Mary's experience is far from unique. Imagine social media as a sweet chocolate cake addictive, but consuming too much can lead to cavities and weight gain. We often think that spending a few extra minutes scrolling videos or checking notifications won't hurt, but in reality, these "small indulgences" may have more serious effects on mental health than we realize. Research shows that when someone spends significant time on social media daily, their brain undergoes a rollercoaster of emotions: likes and followers trigger dopamine release, providing instant gratification, much like eating sugar. However, this is often followed by feelings of emptiness and self-doubt, especially when the "likes" are insufficient. This psychological gap can lead to anxiety and depression. Teenagers, who are at a critical stage of emotional development and self-awareness, are particularly vulnerable to these negative effects. Like a young sapling, excessive exposure to the strong winds of virtual world attention and judgment can leave them swaying precariously or even uproot them entirely.
Social media creates a social environment heavily reliant on the virtual world, and this has a double-edged impact on young people's mental health. On one hand, it allows them to easily find like-minded friends. But on the other, it can become an invisible source of pressure. Mary, for instance, was once "isolated" by her friends for failing to respond promptly to their comments. Her friends expressed their displeasure through social exclusion, and Mary could only silently endure. She later described the feeling as being trapped in a glass dome within a noisy room hearing everyone's laughter but unable to join in. For those who feel rejected because of social media. Loneliness becomes their most formidable enemy. Psychologists point out that humans are naturally social creatures, and a lack of interpersonal connection can have a profound impact on mental health, much like a fish out of water struggling to survive.
Not just teenagers, but even adults without strong support networks can find themselves lost in social media. For those facing financial difficulties, social media often acts as a magnifying glass for envy— vacation photos, luxury car keys, and gourmet meals shared by others can deepen their sense of inadequacy.
When Mary's parents realized that her emotional ups and downs might be linked to her excessive use of social media, they decided to take action. They set a daily phone usage limit of three hours not just by imposing restrictions, but by replacing screen time with family activities like cooking together or taking walks in the park. They encouraged Mary to participate in offline activities such as school clubs or community volunteer programs. On certain weekends. They even suggested that Mary completely turn off her phone to rediscover real-life experiences. Gradually, Mary realized that life wasn't confined to that small screen. She rejoined her school's art club, where she made genuine friends and even rediscovered a sense of accomplishment through a group painting competition.
Social media is an unavoidable part of modern life, but it's like an untamed horse. We cannot completely abandon it, nor can we let it run wild. The key lies in finding balance, becoming the rider of this "wild horse" rather than being dragged along by it.
Whether teenagers or adults, we all need to reassess the value of the screen world.
After all, true happiness doesn't come from the number of likes but from genuine connections and close relationships outside the screen.
