A Study on Digital Pacifier as a Social Media Phenomenon with Specific Reference to Youth Aged 18 to 35 in Singapore

The increasing prevalence of social media has given many, an extra outlet to rely on for support, especially Gen Z and younger millennials being no exception to this trend. This ever-growing occurrence is now a common sight amongst them, age between 18 to 35 years old as digital natives, and will most likely continue to stay this way, especially in many developing or developed countries including Singapore. Millennials were the first generation to explore social media as teenagers and young adults and as such, social media became part of their formative years, much different from the many generations before them. This is concerning when we consider the heavy influence it has on them. Excessive usage of digital gadgets can have negative consequences especially for adolescents and young children, but they are not intrinsically harmful. When used properly, technology is an incredible tool. While utilizing smartphones and social media as digital pacifiers today, may seem like a quick remedy, it will eventually result in a slew of other concerns for individuals and families. Although, there are similar studies, there are some aspects that needs to be identified and highlighted for better understanding of the phenomenon. Exploring the role of social media as a “digital pacifier” is increasingly important. It helps us understand how young individuals use these platforms to deal with their emotions, highlighting the balance between entertainment and emotional support they provide. This study dives into how such young individuals in Singapore engage with social media, focusing on its importance for emotional regulation, relevant digital skills and the need for specific interventions to promote healthier use. It emphasises the importance of encouraging good digital habits and boosting self-esteem to prevent possible negative impacts. Moving forward, there is a need to improve understanding of media, offer mental health support, establish fair social media use policies, and conduct more research to keep up with the changing digital world and its impact on young people. By seeing social media as a tool that can both help and stress out teenagers, we can better support their well-being in the digital age.