<p>Social media may have its benefits but its extended use can have a debilitating effect, several users told DH.</p>.<p>Aroonima Anup, a 19-year-old law student, spends about two hours on social media daily, primarily because as a student she does not have much time to spare for digital activities. She described Facebook and Instagram as addictive.</p>.<p>"Many of my friends spend hours sending memes to each other. People are losing out on their lives by spending all that time online," she said.</p>.<p>Although a study published by the University of California in 2013, following an assessment of over a billion status updates from over 100 million Facebook users from 2009 and 2012, shows that excessive periods spent on Facebook can create low-mood states.</p>.<p>Varsha M, a 23-year-old student of the RR Institute of Technology who said that she spends an average of three to four hours on Facebook, feels she has never been depressed as a result.</p>.<p>"I enjoy looking at other people's photographs and updates and feel happy because they are happy," she said, adding that, however, her online time is 'too much'.</p>.<p>Sobin George, assistant professor at the Centre for Sociological Change and Development, however, cautioned against stigmatising social media.</p>.<p>"Despite the prevalence of propaganda and misinformation online, what is important to note is that such platforms give people a way to participate and engage in real-world issues, which they otherwise would miss out," he said.</p>
<p>Social media may have its benefits but its extended use can have a debilitating effect, several users told DH.</p>.<p>Aroonima Anup, a 19-year-old law student, spends about two hours on social media daily, primarily because as a student she does not have much time to spare for digital activities. She described Facebook and Instagram as addictive.</p>.<p>"Many of my friends spend hours sending memes to each other. People are losing out on their lives by spending all that time online," she said.</p>.<p>Although a study published by the University of California in 2013, following an assessment of over a billion status updates from over 100 million Facebook users from 2009 and 2012, shows that excessive periods spent on Facebook can create low-mood states.</p>.<p>Varsha M, a 23-year-old student of the RR Institute of Technology who said that she spends an average of three to four hours on Facebook, feels she has never been depressed as a result.</p>.<p>"I enjoy looking at other people's photographs and updates and feel happy because they are happy," she said, adding that, however, her online time is 'too much'.</p>.<p>Sobin George, assistant professor at the Centre for Sociological Change and Development, however, cautioned against stigmatising social media.</p>.<p>"Despite the prevalence of propaganda and misinformation online, what is important to note is that such platforms give people a way to participate and engage in real-world issues, which they otherwise would miss out," he said.</p>
