Social Media and Mental Health in India: A Critical Look at What We're Not Talking About

naumitarishi
Jul 23
3 min read

Social Media and Mental Health in India — A Critical Perspective

With over 500 million users across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook, social media has become an inseparable part of modern life in India. While it has undeniably brought people closer and made mental health conversations more visible, it has also introduced a silent crisis.

As a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, I’ve seen both sides of this digital revolution — and this blog is an invitation to look beyond the filters and stories, and truly reflect on the real psychological impact of our online world.

When Social Media Helps — A Quick Acknowledgment

Let’s start with what’s working:

Increased Awareness: Campaigns and hashtags have helped reduce the stigma around mental health.
Access to Resources: Online counselling, eBooks, and support groups make help more accessible.
Peer Support: Private groups on WhatsApp or Facebook offer a sense of belonging.

But these benefits often come with a caveat: the misuse, misinterpretation, and overconsumption of online content can deeply affect our mental well-being.

The Hidden Harms of Social Media — What We Often Miss

1. Reels, Stories, and the Dopamine Trap

The rise of short, visually stimulating content has reshaped attention spans and self-esteem. Instant gratification feels good — but it trains the brain to seek constant highs. This often leads to:

Emotional burnout
Anxiety when offline
Superficial understanding of wellness
Toxic positivity like “just be happy” or “don’t be sad”
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): A constant anxiety that life is happening elsewhere, without you — pushing users to stay endlessly connected even when it drains them

2. Mental Health Misdiagnoses — The Instagram Syndrome

Many users now self-diagnose based on reels and quote posts. Labels like depression, anxiety, or OCD are used without proper understanding. This can lead to:

Overgeneralisation of symptoms
Delay in seeking real help
Confirmation bias through online communities

3. Pseudoscience and Superstition Go Viral

From miracle cures to energy cleansing rituals, social media often fuels unverified claims. This includes:

Anti-vaccine narratives
Dangerous “natural” remedies
Reinforcement of fear through viral forwards

4. Oversimplified Advice on Complex Issues

Social media loves extremes:

“Just quit your job if you're unhappy”
“Leave if it’s toxic”
“Wake up at 5AM to fix your life”

But real-life problems need context, nuance, and support — not one-size-fits-all slogans.

5. Fake Mental Health Influencers

Some influencers use emotional vulnerability as content. Emotional meltdowns become marketing tools. This creates:

Misinformation around healing timelines
Promotion of harmful practices
Monetisation of pain without responsibility

6. Body Shaming, Cyberbullying, and Online Harassment

From weight-shaming memes to doctored images, digital cruelty is rampant. The impact is real:

Low self-worth
Fear of expression
Long-term psychological trauma

7. The Addiction to Likes, Comments, and Validation

For many young users, online approval becomes the only mirror for self-worth. This leads to:

Imposter syndrome
Rejection sensitivity
Loneliness despite being “connected”

8. False Success and Disconnection from Reality

When rewards come in the form of likes and follows, effort feels optional. This causes:

Unrealistic life expectations
Lack of real-world skills
Frustration and procrastination

9. Unrestricted Access to Explicit Content

Children and teens often stumble upon inappropriate content, which affects:

Understanding of consent and relationships
Risk-taking behaviour
Emotional confusion and early exposure to sextortion and bullying

10. Physical and Mental Health Decline

Excessive screen time impacts both mind and body:

Sleep disruption
Eye strain and posture issues
Cave syndrome: fear of stepping out or socialising

So, What Can We Do About It?

This is not a call to quit social media — but to engage with it more mindfully. A few powerful practices include:

Critical Thinking: Question, pause, and reflect before sharing or reacting.
Platform Boundaries: Set digital well-being reminders and take breaks.
Media Literacy: Teach young users how to differentiate fact from fiction.
Professional Help: Therapy is not a trend — it’s a lifeline.

Final Thoughts — A Tool or a Trap?

Social media, like any tool, is not good or bad in itself. But how we use it — and how it shapes us — deserves honest reflection. Let’s not outsource our self-worth to algorithms.

Let’s teach our children (and ourselves) to look beyond the likes — and into the heart of what truly matters.