The Psychological Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Healths

Teenagers use social media platforms as a part of their daily routine, being a source positive and negative impacts on their well-being. This study assessed the psychological effect of using digital devices in adolescents and with cross-sectional research design. Three hundred participants from different schools and colleges filled up structured questionnaires that assessed the symptoms of anxiety, signs of depression, and self-esteem. The results revealed that more time on social networking was quite strongly related to anxiety-depression and lowering self-esteem. Moreover, the differences in psychological changes were found across the different social media platforms, which indicates that certain characteristics of the platforms and the interactions with other users may influence the mental health risks. To ensure the participant’s rights and their privacy were respected, strict ethical measures were observed. These extend the need to address digital literacy and to design programs that can change the negative behaviours of the youths in the usage of the internet.