Gender Differences in Anxiety Levels Among High School Students Due to Social Media Use in the Context of Gaokao Preparation

Social media has revolutionized the way individuals interact and access information, especially among adolescents.With its increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has become an essential tool for communication, education, and governance.However, its influence on adolescent mental health is multifaceted.While some studies, such as Huang (2019), highlight the benefits of social support and anxiety reduction through social media, others point to negative consequences like information overload, social comparison, cyberbullying, and increased anxiety (Yu et al., 2024).This is particularly concerning for high school students, who are already navigating the pressures of adolescence.In China, the gaokao, a critical national college entrance exam, adds an additional layer of stress.The gaokao's role in determining future opportunities has led to intense competition and immense parental pressure, with 80% of parents investing heavily in their children's preparation (Zhou & Chen, 2020).Despite the significant impact of these combined pressures, there is limited research on how social media use specifically affects anxiety levels among Chinese adolescents preparing for the gaokao.This study aims to fill this gap by comparing the anxiety levels associated with social media use among high school students of different genders within this unique high-stakes environment.