Srinagar, Mar 4: Faisal Ahmad (name changed) had it all — an iPhone, an iPad, a PlayStation, and other expensive gadgets that many teenagers dream of owning. Yet, despite having access to the latest technology and entertainment, he found himself engulfed in dissatisfaction.
The 16-year-old, feeling unfulfilled even with his material possessions, shifted his focus to something he believed would bring him excitement—a superbike and a car. His demands were not merely about acquiring luxury; they reflected a deeper restlessness within him.
“He had tried everything, but he was not satisfied. Now he was pressing for a superbike because he wanted to go on an adventure. All his gadgets were not making him happy. He was looking for something else,” explained Dr. Mohammad Abrar Guroo, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), in an interview with The Kashmir Monitor.
Faisal’s case is just the tip of the iceberg. Despite being more connected and having access to modern facilities, Kashmir’s Generation Z is grappling with an increasing sense of discontentment. This issue, however, is not confined to Kashmir alone; it is a global phenomenon. Around the world, young people’s happiness levels are dropping, and experts point to the digital boom as a significant contributing factor.
A recent study commissioned by the United Nations, conducted by leading academics Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower, highlights the rising mental health crisis among young people in six English-speaking countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The study found that life satisfaction and happiness have declined over the past decade, particularly among young women. Researchers observed that this downward trend coincides with the rise of smartphones and social media, which have reshaped how young people experience the world. With excessive exposure to the internet and curated online lifestyles, young people often develop unrealistic expectations about happiness and success, leading to greater disappointment with their own lives.
Sample this: Fouzia (name changed) was brought up by her well-to-do single mother. She raised her like a princess, providing all the luxury she desired. Yet, deep down, the 17-year-old was not happy. Her feeling of not having a complete family was driving her crazy.
“She had a sense of incompleteness. Happiness is multifactorial. She had everything, but she still felt lonely. She developed anxiety and depressive features in between,” said her doctor.
Dr. Abrar emphasized that this dissatisfaction stems from a “reality-versus-expectation” scenario. “What we expect and what is the reality—there is a gap. We have moved forward technologically, but emotionally, we still lag in certain aspects. Parents provide everything to kids, yet they remain unhappy,” he noted.
Experts suggest that happiness has become a precious commodity in today’s world. The relentless pursuit of extreme pleasure, often fueled by social media validation, has altered how people experience joy. “We have a hormone called dopamine in the brain that is released when we scroll through social media or engage in stimulating activities. But when we return to normal social interactions, the dopamine levels don’t match those highs, leaving people with a sense of unhappiness,” Dr. Abrar explained.
This phenomenon has severe implications. In some cases, young people, unable to cope with their dissatisfaction, resort to self-harm. “We have seen cases where youngsters harm themselves out of frustration. When they feel fed up and their expectations are not met, they develop tendencies toward self-harm. Many such patients are seeking help,” Dr. Abrar added.
It’s not just young boys and men who are experiencing periods of sadness and lack of joy. The case with females may be slightly higher. The expectations from life, family, and spouses pushed further by the picture-perfect life on social media and the eventual outcome all add to feelings of sadness and longing.
The situation in Kashmir is further complicated by a lack of options and the apirational speed breakers that this place has. Lack of opportunities, a general sense of gloom, especially in winter, and anxiety all add to the disappearing emotion of joy.