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Constantly checking social media notifications and worrying about missing updates can increase anxiety, disrupt concentration and interfere with sleep, according to a psychiatrist in Türkiye who warns that excessive screen time can also affect physical health.
Associate Professor Taha Can Tuman, a psychiatry specialist at Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul, said uncontrolled social media use can leave people feeling restless when they are away from their phones, while repeated exposure to certain types of content may undermine self-confidence and satisfaction with life.
Tuman explained that excessive use of smartphones and digital communication platforms can affect mental functioning, particularly when people feel compelled to check notifications or respond to messages immediately.
He described nomophobia as the distress associated with being separated from a mobile phone, while FOMO, or fear of missing out, refers to anxiety about overlooking developments or activities.
According to Tuman, these behaviors can reinforce constant phone use, raise stress levels and make it harder to concentrate on everyday tasks, as attention is repeatedly interrupted by digital notifications.
Beyond notifications, Tuman warned that spending extended periods on certain social media platforms can encourage users to compare themselves with others, potentially reducing body satisfaction, self-confidence and overall life satisfaction.
He emphasized that avoiding content that encourages negative comparisons or damages body image can help protect mental well-being over time.
Tuman also pointed to the effects of social media use at night, explaining that prolonged exposure to short-wavelength light from screens can interfere with melatonin secretion, a process involved in regulating sleep.
As a result, users may experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, struggle to wake up in the morning and feel sleepy throughout the day.
Excessive screen exposure may also contribute to physical complaints, including headaches, neck and back pain, muscle and joint strain, dry eyes and tendon discomfort. Tuman added that stress and anxiety linked to heavy social media use can bring on fatigue, muscle aches and gastrointestinal problems.
To reduce these effects, Tuman recommended reassessing digital habits, setting limits on screen time and cutting back on social media during rest periods.
He also stressed the importance of being selective about online content, particularly posts that encourage unfavorable comparisons with others.
"Avoiding content that causes us to compare ourselves with others and lowers our body satisfaction and self-confidence will help protect our physical and mental health in the long term," Tuman said.
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