The Sunday Times spoke to 23 people including social workers, counsellors, psychologists and parents, who said the impact of social media on the mental health of the young in Singapore is concerning. And not just in terms of cyber bullying.

Mr Cho Ming Xiu, founder and executive director of mental advocacy non-profit Campus PSY, said most young people find it difficult not to check on their friends on social media and compare their lives. He added: “You can’t just do well in your studies. You have to be an all-rounder—you have to have a good CCA record, secure a good internship at a reputable company.” “This constant competition emphasized by social media channels by their peers—when everyone is posting about good things—intensifies competition, and young people find it stressful.”

Psychologists say the deluge(大量涌来) of attractive posts can trigger feelings of inferiority(自卑) or inadequacy, especially among young people with less experience to distinguish the social media world from real life.

Assistant director of Touch Mental Wellness Andrea Chan said: “Seeing good things can draw much envy and comparison, while identification with bad things can lead to a negative spiral(恶性循环).” And the reinforcement of pleasure-seeking posting on social media can result in addiction, said the head of psychology at the Singapore University of Social Science.

Ms Lee Yi Ping, principal case manager and programme lead of Community Health Assessment Team, said: “In the event a young person feels disappointed or rejected by the responses received, the distress is often left unnoticed unless the young person openly talks about it with another trusted person.” “Support must come from family and friends who can constantly remind the young people that no matter how challenging a life circumstance can be, they can overcome it.” She added: “With timely and appropriate medical and psycho-social interventions by formal sources of support like helping professionals, coupled with informal sources of support like family and friends, young people stand a better chance with recovery and reclaim of capability to pursue their ambitions in life.”

The experts say if these pressures are left unchecked, negative thoughts and feelings from social media can contribute to depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

1.What is TRUE according to Mr Cho Ming Xiu?

A The impact of social media on the mental health of the young is concerning.

B Most young people find it difficult to check on their friends on social media.

C This kind of competition happens repeatedly and makes young people stressful.

D The deluge of attractive posts can trigger feelings of inferiority.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第一段和第三段可知，A、D并非赵明秀（Cho Ming Xiu）的观点，根据第二段可知，B错误，社交媒体的继续竞争加剧了竞争，使年轻人倍感压力，C正确，故选C。

2.What does “all-rounder” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A A person who works all day and all night.

B A person who has many different skills and abilities.

C A good student who is good at studies in school.

D A perfect staff who does well in work at company.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第二段You have to be an all-rounder—you have to have a good CCA record, secure a good internship at a reputable company.可知既要在课外活动中表现好，又要在一家声誉好的公司获得良好的实习机会，故推断“多面手”更符合文章，故选B。

3.What does Andrea Chan think might lead to addiction?

A Cyber bullying.

B Good things.

C Pleasure-seeking posts.

D Negative thoughts.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第四段And the reinforcement of pleasure-seeking posting on social media can result in addiction, said the head of psychology at the Singapore University of Social Science.可知社交媒体上强化的享乐主义的贴子会让人上瘾，故选C。

4.Which of the following is Ms Lee Yi Ping’s opinion?

A Young people often feel disappointed about the responses received.

B Families and friends don’t need to support distressed young people.

C Psycho-social interventions might help those young people out of stress.

D Young people will never have a chance to pursue their ambitions.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第五段可知，及时且适当的医疗和心理社会干预、家庭和朋友的支持等，使得年轻人有更大的机会恢复和重获追求人生抱负的能力，故选C。