EXPLAINER: WHAT MAKES YOUNG PEOPLE REDUCE THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA USE?
Young people are increasingly cutting back on social media because of mental health concerns, excessive screen time, sleep disruption, privacy worries, social-media fatigue and changing priorities.
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Social media has become an important part of everyday life for millions of young people, providing platforms for communication, entertainment, education, networking and self-expression.
However, an increasing number of young users are choosing to spend less time online. For some, the decision is temporary, while others are deliberately changing their digital habits for longer periods.
So, what is driving the shift
One of the major reasons young people reduce their social media use is concern about their mental wellbeing.
Constant exposure to carefully presented lifestyles, achievements and appearances can encourage comparisons and leave some users feeling inadequate or unhappy. Others may find online arguments, negative comments and pressure to remain active emotionally draining.
Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged. Short videos, personalised recommendations and notifications can make it easy to spend much longer online than initially intended.
Young people who realise that scrolling is taking time away from school, work, hobbies or relationships may decide to introduce limits.
Late-night phone use is another factor. Young people may reduce social media use in the evening after noticing that checking notifications or watching videos keeps them awake or disrupts their sleep routine.
For some, putting the phone away before bedtime becomes part of an effort to establish healthier habits.
Constantly following trends, responding to messages and keeping up with large volumes of content can become exhausting.
Some users eventually experience what can be described as social-media fatigue and choose to take a break or reduce the number of platforms they use.
Growing awareness of online privacy can also influence behaviour. Young people are increasingly conscious of how personal information, photographs and online activity can remain accessible or be used by platforms and other parties.
This can encourage some users to post less frequently or withdraw from certain platforms.
Another reason is the desire to spend more time away from screens.
Some young people deliberately reduce social media use so they can concentrate on face-to-face relationships, family, hobbies, sports, studies or work.
As young people move through different stages of life, their priorities can change. Starting university, entering employment, building a business or developing relationships can reduce the amount of time available for social media.
For others, social media simply becomes less important than it once was.
Research suggests that cutting down can be beneficial for some people, particularly when social media use has become excessive or negatively affects their wellbeing. However, the relationship between social media and mental health is complicated, and reducing use does not automatically improve everyone's wellbeing.
Ultimately, the decision to reduce social media use can reflect a broader shift towards greater control over how young people spend their time and attention.
Rather than abandoning social media completely, many users are choosing a more intentional approach—deciding when to be online, what content to consume and how much of their lives they want to share.
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Written by Anne Moses
Reporter and staff writer at Getembe News.
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