05-08-2025
Swami urges youth to curb social media addiction using Vedantic teachings
Speaking at the 64th Children's Cultural Festival hosted on Sunday by the Ramakrishna Centre, Revered USA-based Swami Medhanandaji Maharaj delivered a powerful keynote address that resonated with both youth and adults, focusing on the growing issue of social media addiction.
He highlighted the harmful effects of excessive screen time, particularly its impact on dopamine levels in the brain. Swami explained that constant exposure to instant gratification—offered by platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and other apps—was creating an epidemic of addiction among young people.
Citing long-term scientific research, Swamiji pointed out that individuals who developed the ability to delay gratification were more likely to succeed and lead fulfilling lives. 'Dopamine addiction,' he warned, 'is as dangerous—if not more so—than cocaine and other banned substances.'
Swami Medhanandaji also stressed that smartphones have become both the greatest tool and the worst enemy for today's youth, feeding the need for constant stimulation and instant reward.
To address this growing crisis, he urged the use of Vedantic teachings as a framework to build discipline, reduce dependency on digital validation, and pursue a more meaningful and balanced life. Through mindfulness and self-awareness, Swami believes individuals can break free from this new-age addiction and cultivate healthier habits.
What is Dopamine?
(According to the Cleveland Clinic –
What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a type of monoamine neurotransmitter. It's made in your brain and acts as a chemical messenger, communicating messages between nerve cells in your brain and the rest of your body.
Dopamine also acts as a hormone. Dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine are the main catecholamines (a label based on having part of the same molecular structure). These hormones are made by your adrenal gland, a small hat-shaped gland located on top of each of your kidneys. Dopamine is also a neurohormone released by the hypothalamus in your brain.
What's the role of dopamine in my body?
Dopamine plays a role in many body functions.
As a neurotransmitter, dopamine is involved in:
Movement.
Memory.
Pleasurable reward and motivation.
Behavior and cognition.
Attention.
Sleep and arousal.
Mood.
Learning.
Lactation.
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