The list goes on. Social media use and screen time can lead to an increase in depression and anxiety among teens and adolescents, a new study finds. 11, 12 Volume of social media use (SMU), encompassing metrics of quantity, has been associated with increased risk for both depression and anxiety among young adults. Roughly a quarter of British adults have been diagnosed at some point with a psychiatric disorder, costing the economy an estimated 4.5% of GDP per year. Social media have been defined as computer-mediated technology that allows one to create and share information and other forms of expression though virtual communities (eg, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is the most common anxiety disorder: 6.65% of adults had憎social anxiety disorder at least once in their lives. According to a recent study released by non-profit Anxiety UK, over half of the social media users polled said Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites had changed their lives -- and 51 percent of those said it's not been for the better.

Studies have linked the use of social media to depression, anxiety, poorer sleep quality, lower self-esteem, inattention, and hyperactivity — often in teens and adolescents. According to … Social phobia is considered a chronic mental disorder. There is a further anxiety-driving process that fuels social media use for the digital addict – often termed the ‘fearof missing out’ or FOMO7. Social phobia is a serious and underestimated problem in today’s society.