Prolonged use of screens and social media has been linked in research to worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially among adolescents.
Social comparison
A constant feed of selected moments from other people’s lives creates unfair comparison and damages self-image.
Disrupted sleep
Scrolling before bed delays falling asleep and harms sleep quality.
Poor sleep is one of the factors that most affects mood the next day.
The cycle of avoidance
The screen provides momentary relief from discomfort, thereby reinforcing avoidance of real coping.
Fragmented attention
Frequent switching between stimuli makes sustained concentration harder and increases feelings of overload and frustration.
What you can do
Time limits, turning off notifications, charging your phone outside the bedroom, and keeping up face-to-face meetings.
When to reach out
If cutting down doesn’t work on your own, or if anxiety and depression persist — it’s worth consulting a professional.
