The dark side of social media negatively impacts mental health
January 5, 2026・Written By Thiện Tâm (Chinhphu.vn)
(Chinhphu.vn) – On October 4, in response to World Mental Health Day (October 10), the Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training at Hanoi Medical University, in collaboration with the Z&Alpha Initiative, organized a seminar titled “Social Media and the Mental Health of Adolescents in Vietnam.”
73.3% of Vietnam’s Population Uses Social Media
The seminar aimed to raise awareness about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and to propose recommendations and concrete actions to protect and enhance the mental health of Vietnamese adolescents.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Cao Hoang Nam from the Z&Alpha Initiative stated that in 2014 Vietnam had 37.2 million internet users, and by January 2024 the number had reached approximately 78.4 million (accounting for more than 80% of the population). Thus, in just 10 years, the number of internet users increased by more than 41 million.
Statistics from January 2024 show that among people aged 16–64, the average daily internet usage across all devices in Vietnam is 6 hours and 18 minutes per person, with mobile phone usage alone averaging 3 hours and 30 minutes per person per day.
Regarding social media access, 73.3% of the population uses social media, with an average usage time of 2 hours and 25 minutes per person per day (Vietnam ranks 20th globally in social media usage time, with Kenya ranking first at 3 hours and 43 minutes).
Facebook is the most widely used social media platform in Vietnam at 89.7%, followed by Zalo at 88.5% and TikTok at 77.8%.
As of January 2024, among those aged 16–64, 96.8% access websites, chat, or messaging applications, and 96.6% access social media platforms.
The top five main purposes for internet use include staying in touch with friends and family, searching for information, keeping up with news and events, watching videos, TV programs or movies, and listening to online music.
A 2022 UNICEF survey on daily internet use among adolescents and children showed that approximately 82% of those aged 12–13 use the internet daily, increasing to 93% among those aged 14–15.
Many speakers noted that social media platforms are designed to be addictive, particularly for young users, and can negatively affect mental health, leading to depression, insomnia, anxiety, academic distraction, and various other mental health issues. For example, in the United States, the 12-month prevalence of major depressive episodes among adolescents increased from 8.7% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2014. Screen-based media activities have been identified as one of the contributing factors to the rise in depression and suicide among adolescents.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Minh Giang stated: "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 provided to schools, parents, and users on solutions to protect and enhance adolescent mental health in the digital era."
The Dark Side of Social Media Affects Adolescent Mental Health
Sharing on the topic "The Relationship Between Social Media and Mental Health," Mr. Cao Hoang Nam emphasized that social media platforms employ various algorithms based on in-depth research into brain mechanisms to maximize usage time, continuously engage users, and create addictive interaction cycles. Notably, these features are specifically designed for adolescent users and are not publicly disclosed.
According to Mr. Nam, social media design directly affects users’ mental states. Features such as the "like" and "comment" functions stimulate endogenous dopamine production. Platforms are designed based on the brain’s reward system, using "variable reinforcement" or "variable reward schedules." Social media does not disclose the algorithms used in its design, which can create addictive interaction cycles. The "like" feature and social comparison encourage users to repeatedly check engagement and post more frequently. Experiencing rejection or receiving few likes may lead to depressive symptoms that can intensify over time.
In addition, notification features continuously prompt engagement by sending alerts to young users. Smartphones generate audiovisual and tactile signals that distract young users and interfere with education and sleep. The "infinite scroll" and autoplay video features make it difficult for users to disengage, as there is no natural stopping point. Furthermore, visual filters may contribute to body dissatisfaction, which can increase mental health symptoms and raise the risk of eating disorders.
Dr. Nguyễn Thị Mai Hương noted that while social media offers benefits, excessive use may lead to negative impacts such as sleep disorders, depression, social isolation, internet addiction, cyberbullying, rising online crime rates, peer pressure, and exposure to harmful content. These risks may result in self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health issues.
Speakers and researchers agreed that social media use should not only focus on accessing information but also include awareness of potential risks. Equipping young people with self-protection skills and maintaining control over social media use is key to maximizing benefits while minimizing negative impacts on the mental health of Vietnamese adolescents.
Thien Tam