Introduction
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the effect that using social media has on young people’s mental health, with a particular emphasis on the adverse impacts, such as increased levels of anxiety and depression, as well as a diminished sense of self-esteem. The function of social media in perpetuating unattainable beauty standards and its impact on young people’s body image will also be investigated in this study (Abi-Jaoude et al., 138). To achieve this goal, the research project will conduct a comprehensive literature review of previous studies on the subject to identify key themes and patterns related to the impact of social media on mental health.
Additionally, surveys and interviews will be conducted with young people to gather their opinions and experiences regarding the use of social media and its impact on their mental health. The data acquired through the literature review, questionnaires, and interviews will be examined using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns related to the influence of digital platforms on mental well-being(Kiger and Lara 847). The results of this study can inform the development of programs and policies aimed at promoting healthy use of social media and mitigating its detrimental impacts on young people.
Background Information
Many individuals now regularly utilize social media, particularly young people. Social media platforms offer several advantages, including the instant dissemination of information, global connectivity, and a platform for individuals to express themselves. Yet, studies have demonstrated that social media can harm mental health, particularly for young people. According to several pieces of research, social media use is linked to higher anxiety, despair, and low self-esteem.
Feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth may be influenced by the ongoing pressure to portray an idealized picture of oneself and FOMO (Naslund et al. 250). Moreover, social media frequently promotes erroneous beauty standards that can lead to eating problems and poor body image. Young people may be more prone to the negative impacts of social media, as they are still developing their sense of self and are more susceptible to peer pressure (Viner & Russell, 689).
It is essential to examine how social media affects mental health and find solutions to lessen its detrimental impacts (Meier and Leonard 1193). This study will provide light on how young people may use social media in a way that fosters their mental health. The findings of this study inform the development of initiatives and regulations aimed at promoting responsible social media use, ultimately enhancing the mental health of young people.
Methodology
This study will investigate the impact of social media on mental health using a mixed-methods approach. First, a thorough literature review will be conducted, drawing from relevant and reliable scholarly articles, books, and online sources. Second, primary data will be collected from young people through both questionnaires and interviews to capture their personal viewpoints. Finally, all collected data will undergo thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes regarding how social networks affect mental well-being.
Conclusion
This research aims to provide crucial insights into the detrimental effects of social media on mental health and to explore strategies for mitigating these effects. The findings will inform the development of effective policies and programs designed to promote safe and beneficial social media use among young people.
Annotated Bibliography
Abi-Jaoude, Elia, Karline Treurnicht Naylor, and Antonio Pignatiello. “Smartphones, social media use, and youth mental health.” Cmaj 192.6 (2020): 136-141. Web.
In 2020, Abi-Jaoude, Treurnicht, Naylor, and Pignatiello reviewed the research on the connection between teenage mental health and smartphone and social media use. The authors discovered that juvenile usage of phones and social networks is widespread and that a growing body of research indicates a connection between excessive use and poor mental health outcomes.
The review highlights the need for further research to clarify the relationship between digital technology and the mental health of young people, as well as the development of effective interventions to promote responsible technology use. The authors draw the following conclusion: Medical professionals, parents, and educators should be aware of the potential dangers of excessive smartphone and social media use, and they should strive to encourage young people to adopt responsible usage practices.
Coyne, Sarah M., et al. “Does time spent using social media impact mental health?: An eight-year longitudinal study.” Computers in Human Behavior 104 (2020). Web.
Over eight years, researchers Sarah M. Coyne and colleagues investigated the connection between the amount of time spent on social media and one’s mental health. This study uses data collected over time from a sizable representative sample of teenagers living in the United States. According to the findings, social media time is not a significant predictor of shifts in mental health over time. Based on the study’s findings, the use of social media may not be inherently detrimental to one’s mental health. Instead, the researchers believe that individual factors, such as pre-existing mental health problems and stress, may play a larger role in the relationship between social media use and one’s mental health outcomes.
Meier, Adrian, and Leonard Reinecke. “Computer-mediated communication, social media, and mental health: A conceptual and empirical meta-review.” Communication Research 48.8 (2021): 1182-1209. Web.
Meier and Reinecke (2021) did a meta-review of the conceptual and empirical literature on the link between CMC, social media, and mental health. The bulk of studies on this issue, the authors discovered, imply that social media use is related to unfavorable mental health outcomes such as despair and anxiety. However, the scientists pointed out that there are contradictions in the research and that the causal direction of the association between social media use and mental health is yet unknown. The study highlights the need for further research on such a complex relationship.
Naslund, John A., et al. “Social media and mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice.” Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 5 (2020): 245-257. Web.
This article highlights both the positive and negative aspects of engaging in social media activities. The authors argue that social media offers opportunities for promoting mental health, providing peer support, and delivering treatments. However, they agree that there are potential harmful effects associated with using social media, such as cyberbullying, social isolation, and addiction. The authors begin by conducting a literature review of research that has found social media to have a positive impact on participants’ mental health. For example, social media can enhance social support and minimize loneliness. In addition, social media has been utilized to deliver treatments for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Viner, Russell M., et al. “Roles of cyberbullying, sleep, and physical activity in mediating the effects of social media use on mental health and well-being among young people in England: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data.” The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health 3.10 (2019): 685-696. Web.
Viner et al. examine the impact of social media on the emotional and overall well-being of young people in England. The researchers investigate whether other factors, such as cyberbullying, sleep patterns, and physical exercise, play a role in moderating the consequences of using social media. This study uses data from a sizable group of young people living in England. The findings imply that social media usage is related to poor mental health and well-being among young people and that this connection is partially mediated by cyberbullying, inadequate sleep, and low levels of physical exercise.
Zhao, Nan, and Guangyu Zhou. “Social media use and mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Moderator role of disaster stressor and mediator role of negative affect.” Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being 12.4 (2020): 1019-1038. Web.
The scientists also discovered that stress related to disasters attenuated the association between social media usage and mental health, with the negative impacts of social media use being more pronounced for individuals under significant stress related to disasters. Social media use and mental health are related; however, the link is mediated by negative affect. The study emphasizes the necessity of initiatives to encourage responsible social media usage and to lessen the detrimental impact of catastrophic stress on mental health during pandemics.
References
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Elmer, Timon, Kieran Mepham, and Christoph Stadtfeld. “Students under lockdown: Comparisons of students’ social networks and mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis in Switzerland.” Plos one 15.7 (2020). Web.
Kiger, Michelle E., and Lara Varpio. “Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No. 131.” Medical teacher 42.8 (2020): 846-854. Web.
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