Is social media and screen addiction destroying our peace?
In the 21st century, technology has brought people closer than ever before, yet ironically, we are lonelier, more anxious, and emotionally exhausted. The digital revolution that promised freedom and connection has, in many ways, enslaved us to screens and virtual approval. The impact is deeply visible in our mental health especially in the fragile, often-overlooked society of Kashmir.
The Age Of Constant Connectivity
Smartphones, once tools of convenience, have now become extensions of our hands. Notifications, messages, likes, and reels fill our every free moment. Social media has woven itself deeply into the fabric of our daily lives. While platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) help us stay informed and connected, they also push us into a trap of comparison, overthinking, and validation-seeking.
For youth in Kashmir, who are already coping with stressors like unemployment, uncertainty, and trauma, the digital burden is becoming unbearable.
A 2025 study by IMHANS-K (Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) revealed that over 45% of adults in Kashmir experience mental distress. Specifically:
41% have symptoms of depression
26% suffer from anxiety
19% show signs of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Yet, due to stigma, only 12% seek treatment.
Digital Mirror: Comparing Lives
Social media showcases the best version of people’s lives, filtered photos, curated vacations, career milestones, and picture-perfect relationships. This creates a false sense of reality. The result? People, especially youth, begin to believe they are not doing enough, or not good enough.
The “like” button, once a harmless feature, now acts like a dopamine trigger. Fewer likes or views can affect a person’s self-esteem. The number of followers becomes a currency of worth. This has led to a rise in social media anxiety, body image issues, and chronic FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), all of which worsen mental health.
Sleep, Stress, And Burnout
Excessive screen time, especially before bed, disturbs our natural sleep cycles. The blue light emitted from screens affects melatonin, causing insomnia, shallow sleep, and fatigue. This lack of rest worsens depression and anxiety.
Moreover, the constant pressure to reply to messages, attend virtual meetings, or stay “updated” causes digital burnout. People find it difficult to be truly present even during family time, meals, or personal moments.
What The Numbers Say Kashmir’s Mental Health Snapshot (2025)
Over 45% of Kashmir’s adults suffer from mental distress
41% show signs of depression
26% live with anxiety disorders
Only 12.6% of people with mental illness actually seek treatment
Among students (aged 13–19), over 60% report academic and emotional stress
What Can We Do?
This crisis demands urgent attention, both from society and individuals. Here’s what we need to prioritise:
- Digital Detox: Set limits on screen time. Practice screen-free meals, family evenings, and sleep rituals without phones. Even a weekly break can reset the mind.
- Mindful Usage: Use social media to learn, share, and grow, not compare. Follow inspiring, educational, and authentic voices. Unfollow anything that makes you feel less than you are.
- Mental Health Education: Schools and colleges in Kashmir must introduce wellness classes, counselling programmes, and stress management training.
The Department of Psychiatry at GMC Srinagar is already taking a lead role by organising awareness campaigns, counselling sessions, and mental health training programs across various locations in the valley. Young people should actively participate in such initiatives to understand their emotions, manage stress, and seek timely support.
- End the Silence: Let’s break the taboo. Speaking about mental health is not a weakness; it’s bravery. Encourage open dialogues at homes, schools, mosques, and workplaces.
- Seek Help Early: Therapy, counselling, and psychiatric care are available in Kashmir. IMHANS-K GMC Psychiatry Departments, and Psychologists offer help. Let’s make it normal to reach out.
Final Thoughts
The digital world is here to stay. The solution is not to reject technology but to build a healthier relationship with it. As a society, we must understand that mental health is the foundation of a stable, productive, and happy life.
It’s time to look up from our screens and look within.
We don’t need more filters, we need more real conversations, real friendships, and real healing.
The writer is a laboratory technologist at Government Psychiatry Diseases Hospital, Srinagar
Aabid Hussain Najar
aa*************@***il.com