- The Impact of Social Media and AI on Mental Health: The Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year, “brain rot,” highlights the global concern over mental and intellectual decline caused by excessive consumption of trivial online content. In Pakistan, the issue is intensified by misinformation, political dynamics, and the rise of AI tools that blur fact and fiction.
- Mental Health Crisis and Dr. Ayesha Mian’s Efforts: Dr. Ayesha Mian, a leading psychiatrist in Pakistan, emphasizes the role of social media in exacerbating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. She advocates for early intervention, addressing stigma, and improving psychiatric care through initiatives like Pakistan’s first child and adolescent mental health training program.
- Global Trends and Solutions for Digital Overconsumption: Countries like Australia are implementing regulations, such as banning social media use for children under 16, to address mental health concerns. Pakistan must balance freedom with accountability, promote media literacy, and foster critical thinking to mitigate the adverse effects of “brain rot.”
The Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year for 2024, “brain rot,” encapsulates the growing concerns around mental and intellectual decline caused by excessive consumption of trivial online content.
In Pakistan, the issue carries its complexities, fueled by disinformation, political dynamics, and the advent of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
The Role of Social Media in Pakistan
Social media is an integral part of daily life worldwide, including in Pakistan, where it serves as a platform for communication, education, and entertainment.
However, the darker side of this digital landscape includes the spread of misinformation, fake news, and propaganda. The introduction of AI tools has further blurred the lines between fact and fiction, making it increasingly difficult to discern authenticity online.
Despite its influence, the regulation of social media remains a contentious topic in Pakistan. While authorities have enforced measures to manage content and maintain order, these actions often raise concerns about censorship and digital freedoms.
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Mental Health and Social Media
Social media’s impact on mental health is a growing concern. The term brain rot highlights how overexposure to low-quality, unchallenging content can deteriorate intellectual and emotional well-being. Analysts suggest that platforms empower misinformation and encourage shallow thinking, fostering a culture where trivial content dominates.
Research in the United States has linked increased digital media consumption to declining IQ scores, as people spend less time engaging in enriching activities like reading and writing. While similar studies in Pakistan are scarce, the observations are universally relevant.
Global Trends and Implications
Countries around the world are grappling with social media’s societal impact. Recently, Australia introduced a law banning children under 16 from using platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. This landmark decision, which includes strict penalties for non-compliance, aims to address mental health concerns among young users. The trial of this legislation, beginning in January, will be closely watched as a potential model for other nations.
Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, further explores these themes, examining how the rise of smartphones and social media has contributed to a surge in mental health issues among teenagers. The book underscores the urgent need to address the toll of “phone-based” childhoods, a concern echoed in societies worldwide, including Pakistan.
The Mental Health Crisis and the Role of Experts Like Dr. Ayesha Mian
Dr. Ayesha Mian, one of Pakistan’s leading psychiatrists specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, has been at the forefront of addressing the mental health challenges exacerbated by societal pressures and technological shifts. With only seven specialists in her field across Pakistan and a youth-dominant population (60% under 30), her expertise is critical.
Returning from the U.S. in 2013 as one of only two child psychiatrists in Karachi, she founded Synapse, a leading mental health institute, and served as the Chair and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Aga Khan University. Her approach challenges the stigma around mental illness by equating it with any other physiological disorder: “When the brain goes into stress, you get anxiety and depression, just as stress on your pancreas might lead to diabetes.”
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During the 8th episode of LEADHers, hosted by Farhat Kapadia Mehboob of WOW360pk, Dr. Mian shed light on COVID’s impact on mental health, highlighting increased anxiety, depression, and eating disorders among youth and women. She emphasized how social media, particularly platforms like Instagram, has fueled these issues, creating a toxic cycle of comparison, unattainable beauty standards, and compulsive behaviors that contribute to brain rot.
The “brain rot” concept extends beyond digital distractions to encompass broader social and cultural failings—highlighted by Dr. Mian’s observations of Pakistan’s nuclear family dynamic. With diminished support structures and an over-reliance on technology, youth are left vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and identity crises. She stressed that parents must adapt to this shift by being more present and attentive, addressing children’s emotional growth, and recognizing warning signs such as personality changes, social withdrawal, or academic decline.
Her introduction of Pakistan’s first child and adolescent mental health training program aims to address the critical gap in psychiatric care. Currently, there’s a decade-long delay between the onset of symptoms and the receipt of proper care, which compounds the issue. Dr. Mian believes early intervention, combined with therapy, co-curricular activities, and sometimes medication, can combat the growing mental health crisis exacerbated by brain rot.
This perspective reinforces the need for systemic changes to promote mental well-being, prevent the long-term effects of technological overconsumption, and challenge societal stigmas surrounding mental health.
Moving Forward
As digital platforms continue to evolve, the challenge lies in harnessing their benefits while mitigating their adverse effects. For Pakistan, this means fostering critical thinking, encouraging media literacy, and implementing thoughtful regulations that balance freedom with accountability. Addressing the phenomenon of brain rot requires a collective effort to prioritize meaningful content and create a healthier digital environment.
By learning from global initiatives and engaging in open dialogue, Pakistan can take proactive steps to safeguard the mental health and intellectual integrity of its citizens in the digital age.
Stay tuned to WOW360.