As Thailand’s youth increasingly turn to their screens for social connection and self-expression, new research reveals a troubling link between excessive smartphone and social media use and the surge in mental health problems among young people. National statistics and leading academic studies confirm that anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even suicidality are rising at alarming rates, raising urgent questions about how Thai society can protect its next generation from what experts call a digital health emergency.
The significance of these findings was underscored in a recent editorial titled “Saving Our Kids from Scrolling to Death” (The Gospel Coalition), which directly connects the current youth mental health crisis to the proliferation of smartphones and social media. This narrative is echoed across scientific literature and Thailand’s own national data, confirming that digital platforms have fundamentally altered childhood and adolescence in the past decade.
The National Statistical Office of Thailand reported in 2024 that more than 99% of Generation Z—those born between 1998 and 2024—have access to mobile phones and the internet, and almost all use social media regularly (Nation Thailand). The top five platforms for Thai youth are YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Internet use among this demographic averages an extraordinary 12 hours and 8 minutes per day—a figure higher than any other age group in the country.
On the surface, social media serves as a space for self-development, language learning, career exploration, and social connection. Generation Z in Thailand often uses these tools to keep abreast of trends and to establish their online identity. However, mounting evidence highlights that these digital spaces are amplifying negative experiences such as comparison, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and overall social pressure. According to the Digital Insights Thailand 2024 report, over 53% of Generation Z report being impacted by mental health disturbances due to social media, and 58% suffer from pressure or unhealthy comparison to others. Worryingly, nearly two-thirds say they find it difficult or very difficult to quit social media, even when they want to.
International research confirms these local trends are part of a global phenomenon. Scholars such as Clare Morell, Jonathan Haidt, and Patrick Miller liken the digital environment to “second-hand smoke” or even a “digital syringe,” arguing that passive scrolling and relentless exposure to algorithm-driven content can be as addictive—and as deadly—as traditional vices. In fact, as described in The Gospel Coalition piece, this “digital dope” is contributing to what some call “deaths of despair” among youth and young adults at an unprecedented rate.
The specifics of harm are wide-ranging. Large-scale meta-analyses consistently find a significant association between problematic smartphone or social media use and increased risk of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and disordered eating (Frontiers in Psychiatry). In a 2024 study of 493 Chinese adolescents, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between mobile phone addiction and “negative emotions”—a composite measure of depression, anxiety, and stress. Importantly, these associations held even after controlling for gender, family background, and urban-rural status, suggesting the effects are robust across different contexts.
Thai academic research supports these findings. Scholarly reviews highlight that Thai high school students are particularly vulnerable to smartphone addiction’s negative impacts, including sleep disruption, reduced academic achievement, increased family conflict, and profound social withdrawal (Thai Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research; Thai Science and Technology Journal). One key study conducted among secondary school students demonstrated that excessive smartphone use was a significant predictor of stress levels, especially when paired with low self-esteem and a lack of grit or resilience (Journal of Public Health).
Medical and psychological professionals argue that these patterns are not simply a matter of individual discipline or parental supervision. The addictive architecture of social media platforms—designed to maximize user engagement through endless feeds, variable rewards, and algorithmic recommendations—often overpowers even “mature” teenagers’ self-control. The Gospel Coalition’s report shares the case of a parent who used parental controls to limit her son’s access to mature-rated apps, only to discover that inappropriate content was still easily accessible through apps rated for much younger children, exposing the limits of such interventions.
Compounding the risks is the issue of explicit and harmful content online. The FBI has warned of networks that target minors for exploitation via child sexual abuse material (CSAM), coercion, and even content promoting eating disorders or self-harm. Local Thai NGOs and online safety advocates have similarly documented a rise in reports of online sexual harassment and cyberbullying, especially via apps popular with young people.
Thailand is not alone in grappling with how to legislate and intervene. Countries such as Australia have raised the minimum age for social media use to 16, and Sweden has restricted the use of tablets and computers in schools. In the United States, states like Utah and Texas have passed laws holding app stores more accountable for content, but there is debate over the best balance between digital access and child safety. In Thailand, calls for more robust policy action are growing among public health experts, educators, and child rights organizations, as technological adoption continues to outpace the development of safety frameworks.
At a deeper level, cultural observers point out that the digital revolution represents a profound shift in how Thai families, schools, and communities relate to children. Where once parents and elders were primary sources of guidance, many adolescents now turn to influencers and online communities for validation and advice. The widespread presence of screens in daily life has eroded boundaries between public and private spaces, often making it difficult for adults to supervise effectively or to model healthy behavior themselves.
Indeed, the perceived helplessness of parents in the face of technological change is a recurring theme. The National Economic and Social Development Council recommends that parents should avoid using their phones during meals or conversations, and instead actively cultivate open, friendly discussions about social media experiences. Schools are also called upon to offer digital literacy education, teaching students not just technical skills but also media ethics, discernment, and the value of “digital detox” days to raise awareness about healthy usage.
Resilience and grit—the psychological capacities to withstand adversity and delay gratification—emerge as critical protective factors. A 2024 study in Thailand found that adolescents with higher resilience and self-esteem were less vulnerable to both smartphone addiction and psychological distress, while those lacking these traits reported significantly higher stress and lower happiness despite frequent online engagement (Journal of Public Health). Interestingly, the buffering effect of resilience was stronger among urban females, suggesting an interplay between psychological strengths and social environments.
A particularly illuminating finding from recent research is the pronounced rural-urban divide: rural adolescents, especially males, reported higher levels of both smartphone addiction and negative emotional states compared to their urban counterparts. Urban adolescents typically benefit from higher family income, more education, and stronger social support networks, all of which appear to mitigate some of the emotional risks of screen overuse. On the other hand, for rural Thai youth—often facing fewer offline opportunities for entertainment, socialization, or academic enrichment—the smartphone becomes not just a tool but a lifeline, albeit with hidden costs.
Historical perspectives reinforce that today’s challenges have deep roots, even if the tools have changed. As observers like Neil Postman warned decades ago, new media—from television to TikTok—tends to shape children’s values and expectations, often privileging passive consumption over creativity or meaningful social contribution. The digital ecosystem, with its relentless allure and infinite feed of distractions, encourages children to “love consuming content” more than engaging with real communities or developing real-life skills.
So, what can be done—both immediately and in the long term—to reverse the trend? Multiple levels of intervention are necessary:
National and Local Policy: Government agencies such as the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Office of the Basic Education Commission should accelerate efforts to develop and enforce age-verification mechanisms, parental guidance support, and school-based digital literacy programs. Thailand may also consider legislation similar to Australia’s, raising the minimum age for independent use of social media or account creation, as well as holding app providers accountable for content and moderation.
Parent and Family Education: Parents should strive to be positive digital role models and establish “screen-free zones”—such as during family meals—to foster open conversation and emotional connection. Training for parents in digital supervision and emotional coaching has shown promise in reducing the risk of both addiction and conflict related to device use.
School-Based Mental Health Supports: Educators and school counselors must proactively foster digital literacy, media discernment, and mental health literacy. This includes teaching students to recognize signs of digital dependency, create personal boundaries around usage, and seek help when needed.
Community Alternatives: Initiatives similar to the “Postman Pledge” in Maryland, USA—where groups of families collectively agree to delay smartphones and social media for their children—could be piloted in Thai communities. Youth clubs, sports groups, and cultural organizations offer vital opportunities for in-person bonding and healthy risk-taking.
Targeted Support for At-Risk Youth: Rural youth and those facing other social disadvantages require greater access to high-quality, affordable mental health care and positive extracurricular activities. Public-private partnerships can play a role in scaling up support services, especially in provinces where resources are limited.
Promotion of Resilience and Healthy Habits: Regular exercise, creative play, and offline friendships should be prioritized in both family routines and national education policy. Public awareness campaigns—similar to those that have successfully changed norms around smoking, alcohol, or road safety—may help shift attitudes and behaviors around digital consumption.
Looking ahead, it is crucial to recognize that while technology is an inescapable part of modern life, its risks are modifiable. Thailand’s response must be as multifaceted as the problem itself, involving policymakers, educators, public health professionals, parents, and young people themselves. It also means moving beyond blame and fear to cultivate genuine digital resilience, appropriate regulation, and vibrant offline communities.
For Thai readers and families: consider taking small, practical steps starting at home. Establish tech-free times or spaces, talk regularly about emotions and online experiences, and encourage children to pursue in-person hobbies and friendships. Support teachers and schools in their efforts to promote digital well-being, and advocate for stronger national policies that balance opportunity and protection.
Thailand’s distinctive blend of tradition, family orientation, and cultural resilience can be leveraged to foster a healthy digital future. As the proverb goes, “ปลูกเรือนต้องตามใจผู้อยู่” (When building a home, one must consider the needs of those who will live in it). In the age of smartphones, let’s remember that it is up to us, collectively, to build a digital home that nurtures—not endangers—our children.
Sources:
- The Gospel Coalition: Saving Our Kids from Scrolling to Death
- Nation Thailand: Social media addiction puts Gen Z at risk of mental health disorders
- Frontiers in Psychiatry: Mobile phone addiction and negative emotions
- Journal of Public Health: The Roles of Grit, Self-Esteem, and Smartphone Addiction
- ThaiJO: Community leaders and smartphone addiction
- Wikipedia: Effects of social media on youth mental health