Social media use: 52% of students experience digital stress, study finds

Twenty percent of 10- to 13-year-olds who use social media heavily experience mental stress, a new study says. Among 14- to 16-year-olds the figure is lower, at 12 percent.

Overall, 52 percent of students experience moderate to severe stress, the study found.

Boys aged 10 to 13 face more stress from social media use than teenagers aged 14 to 16, the study found.

The findings emerged in a study by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) among 1,306 students from Chandigarh and Haryana's Panchkula district.

The researchers also cautioned that excessive use of social media can affect students' sleep, attention and learning ability.

Experts have recommended that parents and educational institutions monitor students' screen time and encourage outdoor activities and direct social interaction.