Relationship between Social Media and Mental Health Problems

Abstract

Social media has become an indispensable aspect of young people’s digital interactions, as they use it mostly for entertainment and communication purposes. Consequently, it has the potential to have both positive and negative effects on them. Deterioration in mental health is one of the side effects stemming from social media overuse. This study investigates the relationship between social media and mental health problems. The researcher recommends that social media users be cautious when interacting with social media features, especially likes, comments, followers, media, and posts, because of their significant effect on mental health. However, ethical social media use can expand opportunities for connection and conversation, as well as boost self-esteem, promote health, and gain access to critical medical information. Despite mounting evidence of social media's negative effects on adolescent mental health, there is still a scarcity of empirical research on how teens comprehend social media, particularly as a body of wisdom, or how they might employ wider modern media discourses to express themselves. Youth use cell phones and other forms of media in large numbers, resulting in chronic sleep loss, which has a negative influence on cognitive ability, school performance, and socioemotional functioning. According to data from several cross-sectional, longitudinal, and empirical research, Smartphone and social media use among teenagers relates to an increase in mental distress, self-harming behaviours, and sociality. Clinicians can work with young people and their families to reduce the hazards of social media and smart phone usage by using open, nonjudgmental, and developmentally appropriate tactics, including education and practical problem-solving.