The impact of social media on mental health is a multifaceted issue that has garnered significant attention in recent years. Numerous studies have documented both the positive and negative effects of social media on mental health, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes is complex and influenced by various factors including the nature of social media interactions, individual psychological characteristics, and cultural contexts.
One of the primary concerns regarding social media is its association with negative mental health outcomes. Research indicates that increased social media usage correlates with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. For instance, Yamini and Pujar Yamini & Pujar (2022) found that excessive social media use among emerging adults was linked to online harassment, poor sleep quality, low self-esteem, and negative body image, all of which contribute to mental health difficulties. Similarly, studies have shown that prolonged social media engagement can lead to cumulative stress, particularly among college students, exacerbating mental health issues (Sen et al., 2021). The findings of Burke et al. Burke et al. (2021) further support this, revealing that increased social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Moreover, the nature of social media interactions plays a crucial role in determining its impact on mental health. Negative experiences such as cyberbullying and social comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and distress. Beyari Beyari (2023) highlighted that browsing posts and media sharing on social media platforms can significantly contribute to stress and depression, particularly when users feel pressured to emulate influencers or conform to unrealistic standards. This aligns with findings from O’Reilly et al. (O’Reilly et al., 2018), which suggest that adolescents who are emotionally invested in social media are at a greater risk of developing anxiety and depression.
Conversely, it is essential to recognize that social media can also serve as a platform for positive mental health outcomes. For some individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, social media can provide a space for self-education, identity exploration, and community building, leading to improved mental health (Barry et al., 2017). O’Reilly et al. O’Reilly et al. (2022) noted that understanding the diverse ways adolescents use social media is crucial for recognizing its potential benefits, such as promoting mental well-being and facilitating supportive interactions. Furthermore, social media can be a valuable tool for accessing mental health resources and information, enabling young people to seek help when needed (Pretorius et al., 2019).
The duality of social media’s impact on mental health underscores the importance of context and individual differences. For instance, Kelly et al. Kelly et al. (2018) found that while social media can provide social support and knowledge acquisition, it is also associated with poor mental health outcomes among young people. This complexity is further illustrated by the findings of Priyana (Priyana, 2023), which emphasize the role of social determinants and individual vulnerabilities in shaping the mental health effects of social media use.
Additionally, the concept of problematic social media use has emerged as a critical factor in understanding the relationship between social media and mental health. Research indicates that problematic use—characterized by excessive engagement and negative consequences—has a more pronounced negative impact on mental health than mere frequency of use (Shannon, 2024). This distinction is vital for developing targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of social media on mental health.
In light of these findings, it is evident that social media’s impact on mental health is not uniform; rather, it varies based on individual experiences, the nature of online interactions, and broader social contexts. As such, future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms that mediate the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes, as well as exploring potential interventions that leverage the positive aspects of social media while addressing its negative consequences (Chaha, 2024).
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that social media can both positively and negatively influence mental health, particularly among adolescents and young adults. While it can provide valuable resources and support, it also poses significant risks, particularly in the context of cyberbullying, social comparison, and problematic use. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to promote mental well-being in the digital age.
References:
Barry, C., Sidoti, C., Briggs, S., Reiter, S., & Lindsey, R. (2017). Adolescent social media use and mental health from adolescent and parent perspectives. Journal of Adolescence, 61(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.08.005
Beyari, H. (2023). The relationship between social media and the increase in mental health problems. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2383. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032383
Burke, T., Er, K., Dunsiger, S., Nr, N., Jv, P., Riese, A., … & Ml, R. (2021). U.s. adolescents’ mental health and covid-19-related changes in technology use, fall 2020.. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.15.21253598
Chaha, B. (2024). Impact of social media on mental health and well-being across different cultures and age groups in nepal. International Journal of Psychology, 9(1), 22-33. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijp.2359
Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C., & Sacker, A. (2018). Social media use and adolescent mental health: findings from the uk millennium cohort study. Eclinicalmedicine, 6, 59-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2018.12.005
O’Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Whiteman, N., Hughes, J., Eruyar, Ş., & Reilly, P. (2018). Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? exploring the perspectives of adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 23(4), 601-613. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104518775154
O’Reilly, M., Levine, D., Donoso, V., Voice, L., Hughes, J., & Dogra, N. (2022). Exploring the potentially positive interaction between social media and mental health; the perspectives of adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28(2), 668-682. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045221106573
Pretorius, C., Chambers, D., & Coyle, D. (2019). Young people’s online help-seeking and mental health difficulties: systematic narrative review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(11), e13873. https://doi.org/10.2196/13873
Priyana, Y. (2023). The effect of social media use and environment on mental health among young people in sukabumi. West Science Interdisciplinary Studies, 1(03), 27-33. https://doi.org/10.58812/wsis.v1i03.52
Sen, P., Khurana, V., Patra, S., Goswami, B., & Gupta, N. (2021). Assessment of the effect of social media usage and covid-19 pandemic news updates on the mental well-being of students during the lockdown in india. ijsr, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.36106/ijsr/0311904
Shannon, H. (2024). Longitudinal problematic social media use in students and its association with negative mental health outcomes. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 17, 1551-1560. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s450217
Yamini, P. and Pujar, L. (2022). Effect of social media addiction on mental health of emerging adults. ijee, 76-80. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijee.2022.58416
