The Psychology of Scrolling: Athira Ramesh on How Social Media Shapes Students’ Brains and Behavior
MedBound Times spoke with Athira Ramesh, a psychologist dedicated to student well-being and mental health awareness. Athira holds a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. She has previously worked as a District Program Coordinator at INPSYGHT, focusing on educational development and student enhancement. Currently, she serves as a Student Counsellor at Educare Institute of Dental Sciences, Kerala, and also practices as a visiting psychologist at INCARE Psychological Well-Being Centre.
With a special focus on helping students overcome academic struggles and everyday challenges, Athira works to identify root causes while fostering emotional stability and healthier habits in a technology-driven world. In this conversation with Dr. Sheela Poojary of MedBound Times, she shares her insights on the impact of social media on students and why adopting a balanced approach is key to academic success and overall well-being.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Could you tell us what inspired you to choose psychology as a career?
Athira Ramesh: I chose psychology because I wanted to understand human behaviour and mental processes so that I could help individuals lead a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life. As a psychologist, I can combine my knowledge with empathy to bring meaningful changes. I see so many people struggling and if I can lessen their struggles even by ten percent, I believe that still makes an impact.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Do you think social media is dominating the lives of today's students?
Athira Ramesh: Yes. Social media is not just a tool for today’s generation, it has become a part of their lives. It has a big effect on how they communicate with each other, choose friends, and even how they see their own worth. While it offers opportunities for lots of creativity and massive connection, it also distracts them from academics and makes them more dependent.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Nowadays, many students compare themselves to others based on what they have or don’t have. How does this affect their self-esteem?
Athira Ramesh: Social comparison can have a massive effect on self-esteem. Students constantly compare themselves to others on the internet, which may lead to feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.
Students are growing up in a technology-driven environment of influencers, and unwanted content, where they often struggle to distinguish between real and fake. This is why we see them struggling with low self-esteem and seeking validation through external approval.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Excessive phone usage is said to lead to anxiety and depressive symptoms, is that true?
Athira Ramesh: Absolutely. The new generation uses digital devices heavily for all purposes like entertainment, connection, and even coping with boredom. However, excessive usage overstimulates the brain, resulting in poor sleep and reduces real- world interactions. All these factors are contributing to cases of anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues among students.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: We often see that students’ attention spans seem to be shrinking? Is this linked to continuous scrolling and influx of unwanted information from social media?
Athira Ramesh: Constant exposure to fast- paced content pushes the brain to seek instant stimulation. This makes everyday tasks more challenging. Student's brains are constantly programmed to short content like Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts. As a result, they experience difficulties in maintaining concentration, poor academic performance, weaker memory retention and decreased patience.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Many students use social media at night? Does this affect their academic achievements, sleep patterns and memory power?
Athira Ramesh: Night- time scrolling is common among today’s students. Less sleep feels normal to students these days, but over a period of time, it has its own long- term consequences. It will not only affect their eyes and brains but also change their academic performance and behaviour, leading to increased aggression, frustration, loneliness, and insecurity.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Do you use social media yourself? Many students reading this might think, if a psychologist can use, why can’t they? How do you draw the line between healthy use and harmful use?
Athira Ramesh: Yes, social media is healthy when used mindfully. It helps us learn and connect with others. It becomes harmful when it leads to constant usage, comparison, or neglect of other responsibilities. The time we spend and the intent behind its use should be justifiable. Setting time limits and focusing on other things equally can help.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Is social media addictive as substances?
Athira Ramesh:Yes, it is. New content is created every minute to keep users engaged. This leads to addictive behaviours.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: What can be done to stop Doomscrolling?
Athira Ramesh: Limit screen time. Engage with content purposefully rather than mindlessly. Connect with your friends and family, spend quality time together doing meaningful activities. Exercise, and always keep your priorities high and clear.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Is FOMO real? How can one deal with FOMO?
Athira Ramesh: Yes, as I mentioned earlier students should set boundaries, avoid comparison and practice gratitude.
Remember, social media only shows the good side and the struggles are rarely shared. So, understand that everything you see is not true.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Sometimes struggling students feel ashamed or scared to approach a counsellor. What message can you give them?
Athira Ramesh: I would encourage them to remember that seeking support is absolutely normal; there is no shame in it. A counsellor can help you sail through difficult situations, refocus on the right things, and do so with complete confidentiality.
Dr. Sheela Poojary: Lastly, what can students do to use social media in a healthy way?
Athira Ramesh: Engage with good accounts that promote knowledge, well-being, and creativity. Maintain a healthy balance between online engagements and offline activities. Be grateful every day. Set your goals and focus on finishing them. Even if you use social media, use it mindfully; don’t fall prey to distractions or fake profiles.
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