Digital Platforms, Social Media Addiction, and Adolescent Mental Illness: Exploring the Dimensions of Chaotic Bonding in Delhi NCR

Abstract

The rapid integration of digital platforms into everyday life has profoundly influenced the behavior and social interactions of adolescents. In the Delhi NCR region, where internet penetration and smartphone usage are among the highest in India, social media has become a central medium for communication, self-expression, and peer bonding. While these platforms offer opportunities for connectivity, they also foster addictive behaviors that disrupt mental health, emotional stability, and academic performance. This study, titled "Digital Platforms, Social Media Addiction, and Adolescent Mental Illness: Exploring the Dimensions of Chaotic Bonding in Delhi NCR", investigates the behavioral, psychological, and social implications of excessive social media use among adolescents aged 12–18 years. Using a descriptive and exploratory research design, data were collected from 200 respondents through structured questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS to examine patterns of usage, emotional responses, and family involvement. The findings reveal that social media addiction manifests in chaotic, unstable, emotionally volatile online relationships that heighten risks of anxiety, loneliness, irritability, and concentration problems. Adolescents demonstrated awareness of digital well-being, yet this knowledge alone was insufficient to counteract dependency. The study underscores the urgent need for multi-level interventions, including school-based digital literacy programs, parental engagement, and policy-driven awareness campaigns, to mitigate the adverse effects of social media addiction on adolescent mental health.