Always Online: Is Social Media Fueling a Student Mental Health Crisis?

John Maytham speaks to Prof Anita Padmanabhanunni, Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape and co-author of the study, to unpack what these findings mean for students, parents and universities. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Behavioral Sciences, surveyed nearly 500 university students and suggests that addressing problematic smartphone habits may be just as important as limiting time spent on social media. We'll also explore why constant exposure to carefully curated online lives, distressing news and endless notifications may be shaping young people's mental wellbeing, and what practical interventions could help students build healthier digital habits. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists.  A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”.  Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham  Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk  For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x  Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5  Follow us on social media:  CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.