MUSCAT : A quick check of social media can turn into a string of short videos, updates and photographs of other people’s lives. The question is when that familiar habit begins to interfere with life beyond the screen.

Difficulty putting the phone down, anxiety about missing updates and dissatisfaction after comparing oneself with others were among the issues explored by Dr Ayman Al Saidi at a seminar in Muscat on October 27.

His paper on the psychological and social dimensions of digital platforms examined how everyday online habits can affect attention, relationships and emotional wellbeing, according to a report by Arabic news outlet Atheer.

The seminar was organised by the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, affiliated with the Diwan of Royal Court.

Al Saidi drew a distinction between ordinary use and “problematic use” — a pattern that becomes difficult to control and disrupts relationships, mental health, studies or work.

That distinction shifts the focus from simply counting hours to considering what happens during them, and what online activity displaces.

A 2025 study cited in his presentation, involving 715 university students, linked problematic social media use with greater digital burnout and a desire to reduce or stop using platforms. Social anxiety contributed to that relationship.

For users caught between wanting a break and feeling compelled to keep checking, the fear of missing out can help explain the pull.

Known as FoMO, it describes concern about missing experiences or information shared by others. Al Saidi cited a Chinese study that followed 417 university students over 12 months and found a link between loneliness and problematic use, with FoMO acting as an intermediary.

He described a cycle in which a post triggers anxiety, prompting more scrolling and comparison. Sadness and exhaustion follow, before the user returns to the platform looking for reassurance.

Short videos were another focus of the presentation.

Al Saidi cited a Saudi study involving 745 participants that found associations between persistent, unintentional scrolling through short videos and difficulties with attention, working memory and cognitive fatigue.

The findings do not establish that scrolling causes those difficulties, he noted. Both the nature of the content and the way it is consumed matter when assessing its effects.

The presentation also examined the pressure created by idealised images of faces, bodies and lifestyles.

Comparisons with influencers and celebrities, particularly through digitally altered photographs, can affect how users feel about their appearance, Al Saidi said, citing research on body dissatisfaction.

Against that backdrop, a temporary break may offer some relief.

A British study from 2022, cited in the paper, compared 153 participants who either stopped using social media for a week or continued their usual use. Those who took a break reported improved wellbeing and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Al Saidi’s recommendations centred on building habits that allow technology to support daily life while preserving relationships and personal priorities.

These included learning to recognise social comparison, developing greater control over time spent online and encouraging families to agree on boundaries and discuss their digital routines.

He also called for technology companies to take greater responsibility for the safety of the user experience.

Digital platforms can provide friendship, support and opportunities for self-expression, he said. Achieving balance requires paying attention to how their use affects the rest of a person’s life.