Jaya Bachchan's anxiety attacks remarks spark controversy, even Shweta Bachchan doesn’t agree

Jaya Bachchan, known for her candidness, has reignited debate by blaming the internet for increased anxiety in young people, a statement made during a resurfaced episode of her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda's podcast, What The Hell Navya.

Jaya Bachchan, during a discussion, articulated her worries regarding the detrimental impact of extensive engagement with the digital realm on the psychological well-being of Generation Z. She elucidated that contemporary younger individuals experience a persistent compulsion to seek affirmation through online platforms, thereby intensifying undue pressure and contributing to what she characterizes as a widespread prevalence of anxiety.

Navya, what happens among your generation is that ‘answer to the calls quickly, reply to texts quickly’. You get your validation from what you see on the internet and your phone, Jaya said. Are we looking nice? Are we thinking correctly? If you are saying the right thing? All this increases your stress levels, she added.

Jaya Bachchan attributes the rise in anxiety among young people to excessive internet use, stating, "Definitely." She contrasts this with her own experiences, noting, We hadn’t heard of an anxiety attack when we were kids. Let alone our childhood, we never heard it in our midlife also. She suggests that the constant exposure to information about appearance and social comparison online is a key factor.

Jaya's daughter, Shweta Bachchan, presented a differing view. According to her, anxiety has always been present, but its visibility has increased due to greater awareness. Anxiety was always there. It’s now more identifiable. It’s more spoken about, Shweta said, highlighting that even Jaya has openly discussed her own experiences with anxiety, noting, “It’s just more vocal."

Netizens didn't hold back in their criticism of Jaya Bachchan's comments on anxiety. Many felt she was downplaying the issue, with some even questioning her expertise. One of the fans wrote, 'Easy for her to say, she's had a privileged life.' Another one commented, 'Anxiety isn't just about being "vocal" about it, it's a serious mental health issue.' Third one wrote, 'Not everyone's as fortunate to have a support system like hers.'