The interplay of social media usage and mental well-being in students: patterns, impacts, and challenges

In the digital age, social media platforms have become integral to daily life, influencing how individuals connect, communicate, and perceive the world. This study investigates the complex interplay between social media usage patterns and the mental well-being of university students. Through an ex-post facto research design involving 164 students from three colleges in Coimbatore district, social media utilization patterns were analysed alongside the adverse effects on mental health and the challenges faced in limiting usage. The Social Media Induced Depression Tendency (SMIDT) scale was utilized to gauge the influence of social media on mental health across three dimensions: sensitivity/attention seeking, worthlessness /inferiority /negative affect, and reality avoidance /escapism. Results reveal a significant impact on mental health, with a substantial proportion of students exhibiting moderate to high levels of sensitivity, worthlessness, and reality avoidance. Additionally, constraints such as Fear of Missing Out and social pressure emerged as primary challenges in limiting social media usage. These findings underscore the need for interventions promoting healthier coping strategies and mindful usage to enhance overall well-being in an increasingly digitally connected world.