Social media addiction, cyberbullying plague youth across region

Mental health experts and digital safety researchers warn that excessive social media consumption is taking a toll on youth wellbeing across the region. Addiction to social platforms ranks among the most significant issues, with young users reporting difficulty disengaging from constant content feeds, a phenomenon commonly referred to as doom scrolling.

Cyberbullying remains a persistent threat in online spaces, with adolescents particularly vulnerable to harassment, threats, and public humiliation through social channels. The anonymity afforded by digital platforms has emboldened perpetrators, creating hostile environments that undermine young people's sense of safety and belonging.

Behavioural addiction to social media mirrors substance addiction in some respects, with users experiencing withdrawal symptoms when separated from their devices and platforms. The psychological mechanisms underlying this compulsive use—such as variable reward schedules and algorithmic content curation designed to maximise engagement—create powerful dependencies that can interfere with academic performance, sleep patterns, and face-to-face social interaction.

Parents, educators, and policymakers across South and Southeast Asia are increasingly calling for intervention strategies, ranging from digital literacy programmes to stricter platform regulations designed to protect young users. Mental health services in several countries have begun addressing social media-related harms as part of broader youth mental health initiatives.