Cell phones not only consume our valuable time but also affect our cognitive processes. Prolonged exposure to radiation can result in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and reduced cognitive function, including memory and intelligence. Studies have shown that 10 to 60 minutes of phone conversation may require 8 to 14 hours of rest for the body to recover. Additionally, mobile devices, through their connection to the internet, contribute to the dissemination of biased and unverified information, leading to global issues such as information warfare. Extremist groups exploit the internet to manipulate and mislead young individuals, often with regrettable consequences. While the internet has positive aspects and serves as a valuable tool for humanity, only informed individuals who use it wisely can fully appreciate its benefits.

Advantages of social media:

·       Speed of Search: Social media platforms facilitate rapid retrieval of desired content, including videos, music, individuals, and like-minded communities. Upon registering, users provide their first and last names, along with additional information such as age, educational background, and contact details. This enables swift identification of individuals, provided they have entered accurate information. This efficiency represents a significant advancement compared to the past, when locating childhood friends or classmates was considerably more time-consuming.

·       Ease of Communication and Information Exchange: While traditional mobile phones offer SMS and MMS messaging, these services can be costly. Social media platforms provide a more economical alternative for data exchange. Users with social media accounts can stay informed about their friends' activities, view profiles, comment on updates, and engage in conversations. This ease of communication represents a clear advantage of social media, significantly enhancing the convenience of interaction.

·       Formation of Interest-Based Communities: Social media platforms enable individuals to connect with others who share similar interests. Users can join communities and groups that cater to their hobbies, make purchases, exchange resources, and even seek employment opportunities. This feature facilitates the creation and expansion of interest-based networks, offering valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Negative aspects of social media:

·       Exploitation by Extremist Groups: Extremist interest groups utilize the internet to advance their objectives, often enticing unsuspecting youth into detrimental situations with regrettable outcomes.

·       Excessive Time Consumption: Social media platforms can consume significant amounts of time. While some individuals view these platforms as an opportunity to pass time, others may experience this as unproductive. This time could be more constructively spent engaging in activities such as socializing with friends, preparing a nutritious meal, or pursuing self-education.

·       Detachment from Reality: Social media often encourages users to present themselves in ways that differ from their real-life personas. According to contemporary research on internet communication, approximately 70% of active social media users embellish their lives online. The ability to alter one's perceived reality and present a façade of wealth and success can be highly appealing. Consequently, there is a risk that individuals may become so engrossed in their constructed virtual identities that they struggle to re-engage with reality.

·       Deterioration of Communication Skills: Observing the discourse of highly active social media users reveals a prevalence of superficial conversations and the use of jargon that may be unintelligible to those outside the online community, including terms such as “like,” “use,” and “lol.” This phenomenon suggests a potential degradation of meaningful communication skills.

Saidov Y.U., d.m.s., professor at the department of propaedeutics of internal diseases, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University