Conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), the study covers 2,000 youngsters in the age group of 12 to 25 years across Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, National Capital Region, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune.
The survey found that more than half the youngsters - about 55 per cent - have either reduced the time they spend on their favorite social networking sites or have deleted their accounts/profiles altogether. "Technology overload is apparent among the youth and their fixation with social media seems to be eroding as they have started focusing on more important things than grooming their digital identities," said D.S. Rawat, secretary general, Assocham.
Interestingly, the voyeuristic nature of such Websites is largely responsible for the social media fatigue. The study claims that compulsive social networking is negatively affecting the lives of the urban youth as it leads to insomnia, depression, poor interpersonal relationships, poor concentration, anxiety and rudeness in their general behavior.
Many, in fact, feel jaded being on such Websites. Of nearly 200 youngsters interviewed in Delhi, about 60 per cent admit that their fascination with social networking is waning as they now find it boring to see the same old status updates and photographs on the Websites.
So, what are these youngsters now doing? The majority of the people who have lost interest in these social networking sites surf other informative Websites, send e-mails, search the Internet and play games instead of accessing their accounts. Besides, they hardly respond to comments and other material posted on their walls, the survey states.
