Social Media and the Interconnectedness with Self-Concept of Undergraduate Psychology Students, University of Nairobi, Kenya

The extensive use of social media especially amongst young adults in college and universities raises concerns on its effects in regard to psychological well-being particularly, self-concept. However, little research has examined these issues within and in low-and-middle income countries. This study sought to examine the impact of using social media on the self-concept of psychology students at the University of Nairobi by focusing on exposure to risk, and the influence of online feedback. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected through liker-scale and open-ended questionnaires administered to 287 third-year psychology students, with a response rate of 95.7 percent, and analysed using both inferential and descriptive statistics. The findings established that frequent use of social media was linked to greater social comparison and reduced self-esteem, with the strongest effects observed among students who reported spending more than three hours daily on social media platforms. Significant risks included cyberbullying, anxiety, and Internet addiction, which negatively affected self-image. Feedback mechanisms (likes, comments, shares) significantly influenced self-worth, with negative feedback often leading to decreased self-esteem and positive feedback enhancing validation. The study concludes that social media considerably shapes self-concept, with both positive and negative effects mediated by usage patterns and feedback dependency. The study recommends integrating digital literacy and mental health programmes into learning to promote healthier social media engagement. Further research should explore longitudinal effects, gender differences, and cultural variations in social media-related self-concept formation.