Adolescents are always online for the fear of `missing outÂÂa phenomenon described as FOMO.
An overwhelming 92% of adolescents in the USA are online every day, with 24% constantly online. Social media provides them a fertile ground for development by way of experience, independence and identity, said Dr Michael Rich, `MediatricianÂ, Centre on Media and Child Health (CMCH).
Data from a 2015 research in USA has found that tweens (8-12 years) used social media under 6 hours daily primarily led by TV and games, while teens (13-18 years) used social media for almost nine hours daily led by TV and music, and yet others were exposed to media for close to 11.45 hours. 
Speaking during a plenary at the 11th World Congress on Adolescent Health, Dr Michael Rich, `MediatricianÂ, Centre on Media and Child Health (CMCH) “Social Media, Sexting, Addition, Oh My, half of the teenagers surveyed by Dr Rich felt they were `addicted to social media and 30% of the parents also felt the same.
Adolescents spend 16 minutes on homework, 1.03 hours on watching videos and music and 1.29 hours on social media and games. As many as 42% of 10-17 years-old end up on pornographic sites with 4% having been asked for sexual pictures of themselves by strangers while 21% of females and 8.5% males were victims of cyber-bullying in high school. More than half-58%- have received and 53% sent hurtful messages.         
Dr Rich spoke about a `Media Abstinence Experiment conducted in 1,000 college students across 5 continents wherein they were kept off media for 24 hours. Initially some said `they did not know what to do with themselves all nightÂ, `I felt deadÂ, and  `I canÂt live without mediaÂ, after the experiment the reflections were very different with the participants saying: `It was an unpleasant surprise to realize that I am in a constant state of distractionÂ, `When you really get off the media, you realize how many quality things you can do, and `I interacted with my parents more than usual.Â
According to Dr Rich, 66% suffered from sleepiness, 90% had emotional problems and 67% felt they were distracted which affected their academics.
“The way media has evolved radically. It is important for them to know what they are exposing themselves to and how it influences their lives.  If they are busy texting, they are not talking to them. The connectivity is not the same as connectiveness,ÂÂ Dr Rich said.We need to understand that technology and social media can to great good but a lot of harm also if used mindlessly, he said adding that telecom companies should educate and empower their consumers on how to use their product. 
In his session on “Gender and Health: Are we Missing Anything, Dr Ravi Verma of the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) said focus across the world continues to be on sexual and reproductive health and girls and women, with very few governments  22%– globally prioritizing equality and norms and male engagement.
“Rigid masculinity norms are not changing. On the contrary they may be becoming rigid with negative implications for both women and men,ÂÂ he said while quote his research data which suggested that 80% men in India believed a man should have the final word about decisions in his home while 75% in US, 65% in UK and 60% in Mexico believed that guys should act strong even if they feel scared or nervous inside.
 Dr Verma pointed out smoking among women and girls in India has doubled from 1.4% to 2.9% during 2005-2010 though smoking among men has come down. Girls mobility is extremely restricted compared to boys, but girls are often rewarded for taking on `masculine traits of being good at math, science, assertiveness, stepping into `male professions, whereas boys are strictly criticized if they step into traditionally `female spaces – particularly care-giving, Dr Verma said.