The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it staggering changes in the ways people interacted with each other. Social lives became non-existent and found a gradual transition to digital spaces. Amidst the rapid expansion of digital platforms and the overwhelming deluge of information they disseminate, today’s youth confronts a new adversary.
According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organisation, more than half (59.1%) of the 23,500 Gen Z and Millennials surveyed were “very aware” of “fake news” surrounding COVID-19 and could often spot it. However, the challenge was in recruiting them to actively counter it, rather than letting it slide, with many (35.1%) just ignoring it.
While the lockdown created physical distance between people, digital platforms were able to mediate interactions through screens. The norm shifted wherein being apart meant finding company in the virtual world. Moreover, social media platforms emerged as crucial lifelines for information dissemination, serving as invaluable resources in an era marked by uncertainty and upheaval. Particularly noteworthy was Twitter’s role as a real-time news source, offering instantaneous updates on the global spread of the virus and its far-reaching impacts.
Finding Solace and Resilience Online
Despite ongoing concerns, many acknowledged the positive aspects of social media’s resurgence, noting its ability to bridge social divides and foster a sense of shared experience amidst widespread fragmentation. As individuals grappled with the disruptions to daily life brought about by the pandemic, social media provided a common thread of conversation and connection in an otherwise disjointed world. In an effort to understand the experiences and perceptions during this period, Youth Ki Awaaz and Observer Research Foundation conducted a survey to investigate the perspectives of India’s urban youth. The survey was conducted among 4,599 individuals aged between 18 and 32.
The survey respondents report that the lockdown has led to emotional upheaval, with 65% of respondents saying that they have felt lonely or very lonely during the lockdown.
Life in Lockdown – A Survey of India’s Urban Youth
Interestingly, one in every five (20%) of youth respondents report becoming a part of a new digital community during the lockdown, and 35% say they have continued to participate in their existing online communities. The data revealed a significant correlation between the emotional toll of the lockdown and the emergence of digital communities as coping mechanisms for young individuals. However, amidst this isolation, the rise of digital communities offered a glimmer of hope and resilience.
Notably, one in every five young respondents embraced new digital communities during the lockdown, while an even larger proportion continued their participation in existing online networks. This trend underscores the pivotal role of digital platforms in providing solace, connection, and a sense of belonging in times of adversity. As traditional avenues for social interaction remained restricted, the willingness of young individuals to seek and maintain digital connections highlighted the importance of virtual communities in addressing social isolation and bolstering mental well-being during challenging times.
Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health
While initially serving as a coping mechanism for loneliness, the reliance on social media soon manifested adverse effects on the mental health of young individuals. According to UNICEF, 1 in 7 Indians aged 15 to 24 years feel depressed. One of the key risk factors for these prevalent rates of depression is social media. The constant exposure to curated and often unrealistic portrayals of life on social media platforms has fostered feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and self-doubt, contributing to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
The statistic revealing that Indians spend an average of 194 minutes per day on social media platforms highlights the pervasive influence of digital media in contemporary society. However, this constant exposure to social media is accompanied by a concerning phenomenon termed “media saturation overload.” This overload is exacerbated by the prevalence of clickbait-driven news coverage and social media postings that tend to prioritise negative or sensationalised content.
As a result, individuals find themselves immersed in a barrage of distressing news, leading to psychological strain and contributing to terms like “doom scrolling,” “headline anxiety,” and “headline stress disorder.” While these terms may be relatively new, the psychological toll of consuming dismal news is not a recent phenomenon.
The Psychological Toll of Constant Exposure
While social media initially offered a lifeline of connectivity during the lockdown, its influence in a post-lockdown world has taken a more ominous turn. A significant 37% of respondents reported severe impacts on their mental well-being as a result of the lockdown. Moreover, as individuals contemplated the future, a troubling 43% expressed concerns about their ability to resume a normal life after the lockdown ends.
As we navigate the complexities of the post-COVID world, it becomes imperative to scrutinise how consumption patterns, particularly on social media, continue to affect the mental health of the youth. This study emphasises the enduring relevance of mental health issues among young people, prompting a critical examination of progress made since the onset of the pandemic.
Now, four years on, it’s evident that social media consumption has had a persistent negative impact on youth mental health, perpetuating feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and isolation. As we confront the enduring repercussions of the pandemic and its associated lockdowns, there is an urgent need for renewed efforts to address this pressing concern. It’s imperative to prioritise the development of comprehensive strategies aimed at promoting healthy digital habits, fostering resilience, and providing support mechanisms to safeguard the mental well-being of today’s youth in an increasingly digitised world.
Methodology for survey:
The survey aimed to assess the effects of the lockdown on urban youth in India across key domains: education, employment, social protections, mental health, and governance trust. Utilizing an anonymous online survey tool, the questionnaire underwent internal piloting to ensure reliability and validity before dissemination. Over three weeks in April 2020, 5,922 respondents aged 18 to 32 participated, with a focus on six major Indian cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad—yielding 4,599 complete responses. Although the majority of respondents identified as female, the study recognized the importance of including non-binary and transgender perspectives, despite their smaller representation, and indicated a need for further research into their experiences during the lockdown.
To read more about YKA’s survey methodology click here.