Teenagers often struggle with a lack of leisure time due to the intense academic pressure they face. In my opinion, a primary cause of this issue is social media, while a potential solution lies in professional psychological support.
Social media has become a major factor contributing to academic stress. Platforms such as Instagram and Twitter showcase the achievements of peers, which pressures young people to study harder just to keep up. As a result, many teenagers lack time to relax and frequently experience burnout. For instance, after a 19-year-old girl from Kazakhstan named Saya posted her perfect IELTS score online, many students felt pressured to match her record, often leading to exhaustion during their own preparation. This demonstrates how social media can negatively impact a student’s mental well-being.
However, a viable solution to this problem is for students to communicate their struggles to their parents and seek professional help from psychologists or coaches. Experts who understand human psychology can help teenagers relax and discover hobbies that provide a necessary break from rigorous studies. Furthermore, such mentors can identify an individual’s unique strengths, explaining why some people excel in different spheres. For example, my older brother experienced severe burnout after achieving a poor result on the ENT exam. He was on the verge of giving up until a coach helped him realign with his ambitions and provided the necessary motivation. Consequently, he regained his confidence and successfully passed the exam.
In conclusion, although social media can be a useful tool, it often undermines a student’s self-esteem. The most effective solution, in my view, is investing in professional coaching or psychological counseling to help students navigate these pressures.