There is no argument that a mobile phone is an extremely useful tool, and nobody will dispute this fact. However, any advanced technology that provides such benefits can invariably produce a damaging negative influence in the hands of undisciplined youth as well.
The impact, both positive and negative, created by the misuse or misappropriation of mobile phones and through that social media content is alarmingly and rapidly rising in the Sri Lankan youth population, particularly those in their teens.
A marked increase in mobile phone use by young people was observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when students were compelled to use mobile phones for online education. Until then, most parents were not entirely keen on allowing their young children to use mobile phones. There were many disturbing stories, even at that time, looming around about the abuse of mobile devices by students.
Physical consequences
The abuse can have a range of negative impacts on their lives, perhaps more than the benefits. Misuse of mobile phones among young people has become a significant concern in today’s digital age, ranging from severe sociological and psychological effects to academic and physical consequences.
Some countries have attempted to wean themselves off mobile phones through restrictions, bans, and even legal measures, without much success yet.
Young children, through their mobile phones, visit prominently known social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and various undesirable websites.
These social media platforms and websites have become increasingly popular among adolescents due to social interaction restrictions such as lockdowns, social distancing, and quarantine processes. As a result, social media has become the method of socialisation for youth during that period.
Missing out on one-on-one communication with others in the same age group is one of the primary negative effects of mobile phone abuse. With constant access to messaging apps and social media platforms, young people are becoming more dependent on virtual interactions rather than engaging in real-life conversations.
This lack of direct communication can lead to difficulties in expressing emotions, building meaningful relationships, and developing essential social skills.
While smartphones claim to connect people, they can paradoxically create a sense of disconnection from the physical world. Youth who spend excessive time on their phones may withdraw from society, resulting in feelings of loneliness, alienation, and a diminished sense of belonging in the long run.
Substance abuse
Research has revealed in no uncertain terms that social isolation increases the risk of psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and enduring physical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, even at a young age.
Excessive mobile phone use can contribute to all or any of these daunting conditions due to social isolation.
Psychologists around the world, including those who are prominent in Sri Lanka, declare that the signs and symptoms of smartphone addiction are similar or perhaps worse than those of other addictions such as compulsive gambling or drug abuse. This can also have a detrimental impact on mental health. The constant exposure to social media, where individuals often showcase idealised versions of their lives, can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even depression.
The addictive nature of mobile apps can also exacerbate anxiety and stress levels as individuals become consumed by the need for constant validation and ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) on digital interactions. According to psychologists, FOMO is a strong negative phenomenon in which smartphone users become nervous due to uncertainty.
For example, not getting updates on what their friends and peers are planning or performing may make them feel isolated from the group. As a result, individuals may feel less significant in their social circle, making them believe they must constantly check their phones to stay current on current events.
Although it was the best alternative at the time, school learning activities carried out online during the Covid-19 pandemic are one of the key reasons for the current unbearable spike in mobile phone abuse by youngsters.
Teachers
Even though teachers urge parents to monitor online learning activities, most parents indicated that such constant monitoring has become a challenge to prevent them from visiting unwanted content during this time.
It is abundantly clear that academic performance can suffer due to mobile phone abuse. With the availability of distracting apps and online content, students may find it demotivating to focus on their studies, resulting in decreased productivity and lower grades. Mobile phones can disrupt concentration during study time.
However, there are more dangerous negative repercussions associated with mobile phone abuse. One of them is that it can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a blurring of boundaries between the virtual and physical worlds. Excessive exposure to curated social media content can create impractical and improbable expectations that nurture a culture of comparison where young people feel pressured to conform to an imaginary perfect version. This can result in a loss of authenticity, self-acceptance, and a diminished sense of personal identity.
Sri Lanka now faces a grave challenge with the alarmingly increasing rate of youth violence, particularly among teenage students. Many such unscrupulous incidents with ferocious behaviour were reported by the media recently. Experts opine that negative social media content is one major cause of such aggressive conduct. According to them, children learn through modelling, meaning they imitate the actions of adults if they feel such actions are heroic. Children who watch adults being aggressive are likely to follow them.
The constant appearance of violence in the media, whether social or conventional, can give an erroneous message to youth that aggression and violence are acceptable solutions to conflicts and problems. In many homes, children identify with TV, movie, and video game characters and look to them as heroes, role models, and even parent figures. Therefore, authorities must immediately devise a strategy to impose strict limitations on the media’s publishing of violent content.
Limitless access
No doubt, social media has a substantial influence on youth behaviour because the present generation is growing up in the digital age. They have limitless access to information, both useful and immoral, from a very young age.
In response to the information disorder and harmful content on social media platforms, governments around the world are imposing transparency requirements and encouraging self-regulation in the hope that they will improve content moderation practises.
Although the modus operandi is not discussed by authorities as to how it should be done in legal terms, limiting teenage access to specific websites or platforms is one way that legislation may help shield them from the dangers of social media addiction. Governments across the globe, for example, attempt to limit teenagers’ access to specific websites or platforms. This will assist in guaranteeing that children do not spend too much time on unwanted social media content.
Apart from regulating content, authorities must consider other viable methods to control the abuse of social media through mobile phone use. Implementing comprehensive educational programs that raise awareness about the potential consequences of mobile abuse and related violence is an effective step that can be taken. Through a well-planned program, the authorities can promote media literacy to help students critically evaluate the content they consume and develop a better understanding of the implications of violent media.
Also, making the students aware of the ethical and responsible use of mobile devices is an important aspect of preventing digital dependency. However, proper parental guidance can play a crucial role in monitoring mobile device usage by setting boundaries. Also, in extreme situations, they must be offered mental health support through counselling to guide them through underlying emotional issues.
Finally, the abuse of mobile phones by youth has significant negative impacts across various aspects of their lives. Therefore, it is crucial for parents, educators, and society collectively to promote responsible mobile phone usage, provide guidance on digital literacy, and encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities.