Social media addiction causes negative impacts on mental health

January 4, 2026



(Nhandan.vn): On October 4, the Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training (Hanoi Medical University), in collaboration with the Z&Alpha Initiative, organized a seminar titled "Social Media and the Mental Health of Adolescents in Vietnam".

This activity was held in response to World Mental Health Day (October 10) to raise awareness about the impact of social media on  mental health  among young people, and to propose recommendations and concrete actions to protect and enhance the mental health of Vietnamese adolescents.

Presentations at the seminar affirmed that social media is playing an increasingly important role in personal and social life, especially among adolescents. Vietnam is currently one of the leading countries in the world in terms of internet and social media usage, with 72.70 million social media users, accounting for approximately 73% of the population. A 2022 UNICEF survey found that 82% of Vietnamese children aged 12 to 13 use the Internet daily, and this figure rises to 93% among those aged 14 to 15.

Notably, social media platforms are designed to be addictive, particularly for young users, and can negatively impact mental health, leading to depression, insomnia, anxiety, academic distraction, and various other mental health issues. Screen-based media activities have been identified as one of the contributing factors to the rise in depression and suicide among adolescents.





Mr. Cao Hoàng Nam, representative of the Z&Alpha Initiative, emphasized: Social media platforms employ various algorithms based on in-depth research into brain mechanisms to maximize usage time, continuously engaging users and creating addictive interaction cycles. These features are specifically designed for adolescent users and are not publicly disclosed.

Dr. Nguyễn Thị Mai Hương from the Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training affirmed that the benefits of social media include enhanced social connectivity, opportunities for self-expression, and access to information and resources for adolescents in learning and daily life. Research also shows that approximately 81% of students report that social media helps them feel more connected to friends and the world around them.

However, excessive use of social media may result in negative impacts such as sleep disorders, depression, social isolation, internet addiction, cyberbullying, increased online crime rates, peer pressure, and exposure to harmful content. These risks may lead to self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen monitoring and education to guide children in using social media responsibly and healthily.

Speakers and researchers agreed that social media use should not only focus on accessing information but must also be accompanied by self-awareness of potential risks. Equipping young people with self-protection skills and maintaining control over their social media use is key to maximizing its benefits without negatively affecting the mental health of Vietnamese adolescents.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Minh Giang, Director of the Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training, stated that this seminar marks the first step toward comprehensive research on the impact of social media on the mental health of Vietnamese adolescents. Based on this foundation, awareness programs will be developed and guidance will be provided to schools, parents, and users on solutions to protect and enhance adolescent mental health in the digital era.