Social media is a powerful tool, but in the hands of the undisciplined, it becomes a destructive addiction
Iqra Jokhio
In today’s hyper-connected world, social media has become an inseparable part of our daily routine. What began as a tool for communication and entertainment has now turned into an overwhelming force, particularly in the lives of students. The rise of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook has transformed the way young minds interact, learn, and perceive the world. However, with convenience has come chaos. Social media addiction is silently corroding the discipline, creativity, and emotional intelligence of an entire generation.
Students today are more focused on likes and followers than on books and values. Discipline, once the foundation of a student’s life, is now replaced with mindless scrolling and online trends. The structured routine of study, rest, and family time has given way to late-night screen time, virtual friendships, and digital approval. Students often skip meals, lose sleep, and neglect academic responsibilities just to stay updated with what’s happening in the virtual world. The result? A generation of brain-drained individuals who lack focus, punctuality, and purpose.
Creativity, which once flourished in the form of reading, writing, painting, and playing, has now taken a back seat. The brain, when constantly exposed to ready-made content and visual stimuli, stops thinking independently. Why write a story when you can repost one? Why draw when you can use a filter? The addiction to social media slowly turns students into consumers of content rather than creators. Their imagination shrinks, and their ability to think critically or solve problems diminishes.
Read: What to know about social media addiction
One cannot ignore the alarming comparison of this addiction with an infectious disease like influenza. Just like the flu spreads quickly and weakens the body, social media spreads across campuses and classrooms, weakening minds and damaging personalities. It affects not only the academic performance but also the emotional and psychological well-being of students. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, and a distorted self-image are becoming common among teenagers who tie their worth to virtual approval.
Moreover, respect for elders, teachers, and even peers has drastically declined. Social media often glorifies disrespect, rebellion, and vanity. Students mirror what they see: viral pranks, rude language, and a disregard for traditions and values. The digital world has given every child a voice but without the wisdom to use it wisely. In the process, the foundation of mutual respect, empathy, and humility is crumbling.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking consequence of social media addiction is the loss of quality family time. Dinner tables are silent, not because there is nothing to say, but because everyone is engrossed in their screens. Parents and children live under the same roof but in different digital worlds. Moments that once belonged to shared laughter, meaningful conversations, and emotional bonding are now replaced with endless scrolling and empty notifications.
It’s high time we address this issue not just as individuals but as a society. Schools must promote digital discipline, parents must set examples, and students must be made aware of the dangers lurking behind the screen. Real life is not lived online; it is lived in classrooms, in playgrounds, in living rooms, and in the hearts of those we love.
The solution is not to abandon social media but to control its use before it controls us. It is essential to teach students the value of balance. Let them use social media to learn, to connect, and to express—but not at the cost of their future, their relationships, or their mental peace.
In conclusion, I must say that social media is a powerful tool, but in the hands of the undisciplined, it becomes a destructive addiction. If we want to build a strong, creative, and respectful generation, we must guide our students back to books, back to values, and most importantly, back to real life.
Read: Life with and without Social Media
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Iqra Jokhio is the Student of Mass communication at the University of Karachi
