As a teenager, I have personally experienced how screen time affects our mental health – often in a negative one. In today’s world, many teenagers are constantly glued to their phones, tablets or laptops. I’ve seen how some become so obsessed with what they see on social media that it starts to control their thoughts, emotions and even self-worth. Their entire lives seem to revolve around likes, followers, trends, and what others are doing online.
This non-stop exposure can lead to insecurity, anxiety and a distorted view of reality. Some teens become addicted to fantasy worlds — influenced by fictional content, filtered images and unrealistic lifestyles — to the point where they struggle to tell the difference between real life and what’s happening on a screen. Others may even fall into harmful or inappropriate online activities and find it difficult to stop themselves.
That said, screens are not all bad. There are definitely some great benefits. We can watch educational videos, attend online lectures, read books, access helpful resources, and even find motivation or emotional support through online platforms. But the main problem lies in addiction — when screen time crosses healthy limits and starts taking over our daily life.
Everything is good in balance. What’s needed is awareness, control and discipline. Parents and teachers should help guide us toward healthy screen use, and we as young people should also be conscious of our habits. Setting limits, taking breaks and spending more time in the real world can make a big difference.
Let’s use technology to grow and learn — not to lose ourselves.
Amatullah Aziz
Karach
