ANSIEDADE DIGITAL: EFEITOS DO USO EXCESSIVO DE REDES SOCIAIS NA SAÚDE MENTAL DE JOVENS

The article “Digital Anxiety: Effects of Excessive Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health” explores how a digital daily life dominated by social media has shaped the way young people relate to themselves and to the world around them. Based on recent data, comparative charts, and thematic illustrations, the text investigates how constant use of these platforms can trigger negative effects on the emotional and psychological health of youth. Throughout the study, it becomes clear that feelings such as anxiety, distress, loneliness, and personal dissatisfaction are increasingly present in the lives of adolescents and young adults who are constantly connected. Continuous exposure to idealized lifestyles, intense social comparison, pressure for validation (through likes and followers), and the fear of missing out (FOMO) are identified as factors that intensify psychological suffering. The article also examines how algorithms and constant notifications contribute to a state of permanent alertness, making mental rest more difficult and increasing digital dependency. Explanatory graphics help illustrate how these mechanisms affect the young brain and interfere with emotional balance. In addition to critical analysis, the article suggests possible paths toward healthier social media use, including digital self-care practices, time limits for online activity, encouragement of offline presence, and the urgent need to integrate mental health into both educational and digital policy agendas.With an accessible and evidence-based approach, the article invites readers to reflect on the role technology should play in our lives—especially during the most sensitive phase of human development—and how we can reclaim emotional autonomy in times of hyperconnectivity.