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Mental health experts are raising alarm over the growing psychological impact of online violence on children and teenagers, warning that cyberbullying, toxic social media culture and constant digital exposure are quietly contributing to a widening emotional health crisis among adolescents.
The concerns have gained renewed attention after the World Health Organisation-backed “Lost Screen Memorial” exhibition in Geneva highlighted the hidden mental health consequences of unsafe online environments, cyber harassment and digital exploitation faced by young people globally.
Psychologists say the issue is no longer limited to isolated incidents of online bullying. Instead, an entire digital ecosystem driven by comparison, validation-seeking behaviour, unrealistic beauty standards and nonstop emotional stimulation is increasingly shaping how children perceive themselves and interact with the world.
Dr Munia Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant in Clinical Psychology at Marengo Asia Hospitals (Gurugram) said many parents often fail to recognise the emotional distress children experience behind phone screens.
“A few years ago, parents worried if their child stayed out late or stopped speaking at the dinner table. Today, many children are physically present at home but emotionally disappearing behind screens,” she said.
According to Dr Bhattacharya, social media platforms can create intense emotional dependency among adolescents whose developing brains are not equipped to process continuous criticism, rejection and pressure for social approval.
“The frightening part is that many children never openly ask for help. Their silence becomes their suffering,” she said.
Recalling one teenager’s experience during therapy, Dr Bhattacharya said the child told her: “I have thousands of followers, but nobody who actually understands me.”
Mental health professionals say such feelings of loneliness and emotional disconnect are becoming increasingly common despite higher digital connectivity.
Dr Sapare Rohit, Consultant Psychiatrist at SPARSH Hospital (Bengaluru) said online violence should now be treated as a serious mental health issue rather than merely a digital safety challenge.
“When a child faces cyberbullying or repeated exposure to harmful content, the emotional impact can be very deep and long lasting,” Dr Rohit said.
He explained that many children struggle to describe their emotional distress directly, but warning signs often appear through anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep patterns, social withdrawal, mood swings, fear of using devices and in severe cases, self-harm thoughts.
Unlike conventional bullying, Dr Rohit said that digital abuse often feels inescapable because it follows children into their homes, schools and private spaces through smartphones and social media platforms.
“The fear of screenshots, public humiliation, threats or blackmail can create intense shame and isolation, especially when children feel unable to speak to parents or teachers,” he added.
Experts say excessive online exposure is also reinforcing unhealthy behavioural patterns among adolescents, including addiction to validation through likes, comments and follower counts.
They also stressed that restricting devices alone cannot solve the problem. Instead, they emphasised the importance of emotional connection within families, early mental health support and better communication between children, parents and schools.
Dr Bhattacharya said children who feel emotionally secure and heard at home are less likely to seek unhealthy validation online. Dr Rohit similarly advised parents not to respond with anger or punishment when children discuss online issues, warning that such reactions may push them further into silence.
The experts also called for schools to strengthen counselling systems, digital safety education and reporting mechanisms while urging technology platforms and policymakers to create safer online spaces for children.
With digital engagement becoming deeply embedded in everyday childhood experiences, mental health professionals say emotional safety online must now be treated as an essential part of child and adolescent healthcare.
The concerns have gained renewed attention after the World Health Organisation-backed “Lost Screen Memorial” exhibition in Geneva highlighted the hidden mental health consequences of unsafe online environments, cyber harassment and digital exploitation faced by young people globally.
Psychologists say the issue is no longer limited to isolated incidents of online bullying. Instead, an entire digital ecosystem driven by comparison, validation-seeking behaviour, unrealistic beauty standards and nonstop emotional stimulation is increasingly shaping how children perceive themselves and interact with the world.
Dr Munia Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant in Clinical Psychology at Marengo Asia Hospitals (Gurugram) said many parents often fail to recognise the emotional distress children experience behind phone screens.
“A few years ago, parents worried if their child stayed out late or stopped speaking at the dinner table. Today, many children are physically present at home but emotionally disappearing behind screens,” she said.
According to Dr Bhattacharya, social media platforms can create intense emotional dependency among adolescents whose developing brains are not equipped to process continuous criticism, rejection and pressure for social approval.
“The frightening part is that many children never openly ask for help. Their silence becomes their suffering,” she said.
Recalling one teenager’s experience during therapy, Dr Bhattacharya said the child told her: “I have thousands of followers, but nobody who actually understands me.”
Mental health professionals say such feelings of loneliness and emotional disconnect are becoming increasingly common despite higher digital connectivity.
Dr Sapare Rohit, Consultant Psychiatrist at SPARSH Hospital (Bengaluru) said online violence should now be treated as a serious mental health issue rather than merely a digital safety challenge.
“When a child faces cyberbullying or repeated exposure to harmful content, the emotional impact can be very deep and long lasting,” Dr Rohit said.
He explained that many children struggle to describe their emotional distress directly, but warning signs often appear through anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep patterns, social withdrawal, mood swings, fear of using devices and in severe cases, self-harm thoughts.
Unlike conventional bullying, Dr Rohit said that digital abuse often feels inescapable because it follows children into their homes, schools and private spaces through smartphones and social media platforms.
“The fear of screenshots, public humiliation, threats or blackmail can create intense shame and isolation, especially when children feel unable to speak to parents or teachers,” he added.
Experts say excessive online exposure is also reinforcing unhealthy behavioural patterns among adolescents, including addiction to validation through likes, comments and follower counts.
They also stressed that restricting devices alone cannot solve the problem. Instead, they emphasised the importance of emotional connection within families, early mental health support and better communication between children, parents and schools.
Dr Bhattacharya said children who feel emotionally secure and heard at home are less likely to seek unhealthy validation online. Dr Rohit similarly advised parents not to respond with anger or punishment when children discuss online issues, warning that such reactions may push them further into silence.
The experts also called for schools to strengthen counselling systems, digital safety education and reporting mechanisms while urging technology platforms and policymakers to create safer online spaces for children.
With digital engagement becoming deeply embedded in everyday childhood experiences, mental health professionals say emotional safety online must now be treated as an essential part of child and adolescent healthcare.
