Youth Phone Addiction in Thailand Fuels Mental Health Crisis

In Thailand, the excessive use of mobile devices among youth is severely harming academic performance and triggering social isolation nationwide, fueling a growing mental health crisis. Schools and families are currently grappling with who should regulate youth mobile device usage. Data reveals that nearly half of young adults in Thailand engage in online gambling, and 33 percent suffer from gaming addiction. This excessive screen time is having a detrimental impact on the mental well-being of children and adolescents. Experts point to the easy access to digital devices and the widespread availability of online content targeted at youth as key factors contributing to this addiction. The increase in online activities, particularly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, is also considered a significant factor. In response to this escalating issue, the Thai government and educational institutions are facing pressure to enhance digital literacy education and implement awareness campaigns for parents. However, consensus on establishing household rules and specific guidance within schools remains elusive. A comprehensive societal effort is deemed necessary to support the healthy development of young people.