Narrative synthesis reveals complex links between social media use and emotional distress in university students, suggesting integrated frameworks are needed.
The paper explores the complex links between mental health, social media and loneliness among students. Empirical studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews focusing on university/college students aged 18-25 were included for the review. This paper highlights how problematic social media use paradoxically deepens loneliness and emotional distress. It emphasizes that simplistic or one-size-fits-all approaches are inadequate in a digital landscape marked by rapid technological innovation and diverse student backgrounds. It also revealed how cultural contexts influence the relationship between digital engagement and emotional well-being, highlighting the need for integrated frameworks that account for both individual and societal factors.
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Ganie et al. (2026) studied this question.
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