The Paradox of Connection | Mahirr Uppaal | TEDxDiscovery College Youth

Social Media & Mental Health - Social media contributes to individuals feeling uncomfortable in their own skin, leading to comparisons and a sense of falling behind [2] - Suicide is now among the top three leading causes of death among teenagers worldwide, with countries like Taiwan, Singapore, and the US experiencing double or triple the rates [3] - Depression rates have doubled in the last decade, indicating a concerning trend [3] - Over half of people globally, and nearly 60% of teenagers, identify more with self-doubt than self-love [11] Relationships & Connections - Social media has inadvertently led to shallower relationships due to a lack of time for self-reflection and comparison to unrealistic standards [4] - A lack of character building and social skills, stemming from excessive screen time, reduces the number of real friendships [7] - The absence of deep connections and real friends can lead to feelings of loneliness, emotional distress, and depression [8] Self-Confidence & Well-being - The ability to feel comfortable in one's own skin is identified as a root cause of many problems in this generation [9] - Over-stimulation and information overload make it easy to filter out realistic information, leading to comparisons with the "top echelon" and feelings of inadequacy [10] - Self-imposed isolation, when approached with critical objectivity, can be beneficial for self-reflection and personal growth [13] - Paradoxically, constant access and expectation of interactions can lead to depression and loneliness when unmet [14]