Agreement: I Agree Body: Dear Editor We have to understand clearly that the adolescents today have been grown with almost universal use of mobile phones and access to the internet. Many have been given the mobile phone as a toy during early childhood. During eating, before going to sleep, during a significant part of the day they are with this toy. It was given by the parents without understanding the ill effects it may cause at that time. Currently there is ample evidence to support the theory that the unrestricted use of mobile phones including the use of social media has produced several behavior and mental problems. The attention span of the children has significantly reduced causing the problem of learning and retaining. This is not a local phenomenon and actually taken any shape of ‘silent epidemic’ all over the world. Australia has taken the lead of restricting the use of social media under 16 years of age. Many other countries are on the process of implementing the same. These children and the adolescent have grown with it this is a part of life. There should be any hesitation to use the term ‘addiction’ to social media. Even slightly older MBBS students in the class also have been seen to play with the mobile phone regularly during the class. There is an urgent need for improvement in restriction on social media all over the world. It may reduce mental health problems in these people in years to come. Sukumar Barik MD, DNB, FRCOG Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ICARE INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH, Haldia, West Bengal India No competing Interests: Yes The following competing Interests: Electronic Publication Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026 - 08:24 AI use: No, I have not used AI Highwire Comment Subject: Is banning social media the right response to the adolescent mental health crisis? Workflow State: Released Full Title: Re: Is banning social media the right response to the adolescent mental health crisis? Highwire Comment Response to: Is banning social media the right response to the adolescent mental health crisis? Check this box if you would like your letter to appear anonymously:: Last Name: BARIK First name and middle initial: SUKUMAR Email: sukumarbarik1@gmail.com Address: Banbishnupur , PO - Balughata Occupation: PROFESSOR Affiliation: ICARE INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH , HALDIA , WEST BENGAL , INDIA BMJ: Additional Article Info: Rapid response