NEW DELHI: A recent analysis from a well-known psychologist throws light on the growing mental health issue among teens, which is caused by the constant pressure to do well in school and online. Christie Saju, a psychologist at LISSUN, told HT Lifestyle that social media, competitiveness in school, and the continual need for validation are making life hard for young adults.
Saju said that social networking sites portray a “skewed version of reality,” often showcasing a “highlight reel” of friends’ lives that includes immaculate looks, parties, and school successes. She calls this sense of “compare and despair” because teens compare their own worth to these often-unrealistic representations.
Saju remarked, “Their self-esteem can depend on how many likes or shares they get from other people.” This digital environment also makes people feel like they have to be available all the time and creates a “fear of missing out” (FOMO), which makes it hard to tell where school, home, and social life end and begin. The extra fear of cyberbullying and public humiliation makes things much more stressful, which can be hard to get away from.
The psychologist said that these problems get worse in high-pressure school settings. She mentioned areas like Kota, a major coaching center in India, where the pressure to do well in school is even worse because you have to look like you’re doing well online. “Students feel like they have to show that they are brilliant all the time, even when they are having trouble,” she said. This “double burden” of keeping up with high-stakes schoolwork and a perfect online image can cause a lot of stress and burnout.
Saju said that this is not a personal failure of the teens, but a normal reaction to a tough situation. She stressed that the answer is not to condemn technology, but to give kids more digital skills and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. She stated, “This means teaching them how to think critically about what they see online, set healthy limits on screen time, and do things in the real world that make them feel good about themselves.”
Saju’s final point was that the most important thing is to assist teens develop a strong sense of self-worth that doesn’t depend on their online presence or the approval of others. This will help them get through their teenage years with more confidence and mental health.