Two medical experts have warned that excessive use of mobile phones and social media could pose serious risks to mental and physical health, particularly among young people.
The experts gave the warning in separate interviews with journalists on Tuesday in Ibadan.
A psychiatrist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Oluwagbemi Ibrahim, said addiction to social media could lead to depression, anxiety caused by cyberbullying, and unhealthy social comparison.
According to her, these challenges may result in low self-esteem, poor sleep, reduced attention span, memory impairment, poor academic performance and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts.
Ibrahim noted that excessive phone and social media use could also cause fatigue, headaches, burnout, irritability, and eye or vision problems.
“There are metabolic risks as well, because excessive screen use promotes a sedentary lifestyle, which increases the risk of weight gain, diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
“There is also the risk of musculoskeletal problems, such as wrist and thumb pain, as well as poor posture leading to chronic pain,” she said.
She identified measures to reduce the health risks of social media addiction in young people to include limiting screen time, avoiding phone use before bedtime, encouraging physical activity, promoting real-life social interaction, and observing periodic breaks from social media.
She also stressed the importance of educating young people on healthy media use.
“Social media has undoubtedly revolutionized society by creating opportunities and connectivity. However, it is important to engage responsibly to maximize its benefits while reducing harmful effects,” Ibrahim said.
Also speaking, a Senior Registrar in Family Medicine at UCH, Ibadan, Dr. Oluwaseun Iyiola, said excessive social media use had been linked to increased anxiety, low mood and constant comparison among young people.
She explained that many youths feel pressured to appear perfect, live a so-called successful life, or keep up with unrealistic online trends.
“Emotionally, excessive phone use reduces attention span and makes it harder to focus on schoolwork or even conversations. Some young people also develop dependency and feel restless or upset when they are offline,” she said.
Iyiola added that prolonged phone use could cause eye strain, headaches, neck and back pain, and poor posture.
“When screen time replaces physical movement and sleep, the body suffers. Socially, too much online interaction can reduce real-life connections, with some youths withdrawing from family activities or struggling with face-to-face communication,” she said.
She noted that spending long hours scrolling, watching videos or chatting online leaves little time for physical activities such as outdoor play, sports or walking.
“This sedentary lifestyle, combined with frequent snacking while using phones, increases the risk of weight gain over time.
“Poor sleep, which often accompanies heavy phone use, also affects appetite-regulating hormones, increasing the likelihood of weight gain,” she added.
Iyiola said many adolescents stay up late on their phones, especially at night, due to notifications, videos and fear of missing out, which keeps the brain alert when it should be resting.
She explained that poor sleep negatively affects mood, memory, learning and academic performance, and over time increases the risk of anxiety, depression, weakened immunity and headaches.
To reduce health risks linked to excessive social media use, Iyiola recommended setting clear limits on screen time, particularly at night, and keeping phones out of bedrooms during sleep hours.
She also advised encouraging physical activity, hobbies, reading, family bonding and outdoor play, while teaching young people digital balance rather than total restriction.
“For those already showing signs of emotional distress, counseling or mental health support may be necessary. Schools and community programmes also have a role to play in promoting healthy digital habits,” she said.
Iyiola urged parents to watch for warning signs such as sudden mood changes, withdrawal from family, declining school performance, sleep problems, irritability when phones are restricted, loss of interest in previous activities, and constant phone checking.
She also advised healthcare providers to screen for social media-related health issues by asking simple, non-judgmental questions during consultations.
“The keyword is moderation. Social media itself is not the enemy; problems arise when use becomes excessive, uncontrolled or emotionally draining,” she said.
Iyiola added that parents should model healthy phone habits, noting that children learn more from what they observe than what they are told.
“Open conversations are better than strict punishment. When young people feel safe discussing their online experiences, risks are significantly reduced,” she said.
