In Focus by The Hindu What does social media do to young brains?
Feb 21, 2026
Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, psychiatrist and founder of Chennai suicide-prevention centre SNEHA. She explains how heavy social media use alters young brains and reward circuits. She discusses addiction-like dopamine loops, impacts on sleep, attention and self-esteem, and practical guardrails parents can use. The conversation covers recovery timelines and policy options for safer digital lives.
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Brain Structure And Emotional Imbalance
- Excessive social media use reduces gray matter and alters reward networks in young brains.
- It heightens amygdala-driven emotions while immature prefrontal control delays impulse regulation.
Social Media Triggers Classic Addiction Circuits
- Social media activates dopamine-driven reward loops identical to substance addictions.
- Over time receptors fatigue, producing tolerance and withdrawal that drive escalating use.
Limit Daily Use And Protect Sleep
- Avoid more than two hours daily; each extra hour raises anxiety and depression risk by about 18%.
- Limit nighttime screen use to protect melatonin, sleep, memory and daytime attention.