The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Introduction

Researchers are interested in looking into how social media use affects mental health since it
continues to play an important role in people's lives all around the world. Given that mental
health problems are widespread around the world, the connection between social media use and mental
health has been a subject of great concern. This literature review critically analyzes five studies
that examine the relationship between social media and mental health. While some studies have found
a link between social media use with positive  mental health outcomes, other studies have shown
that excessive social media use can have a detrimental effect on mental health. Therefore, in order
to better comprehend the implications for both individuals and society as a whole, it is crucial to
take into account the possible advantages and disadvantages of social media use on mental health.


Literature Review

The study by Lin et al. (2016) showed the association between social media use and depression among
young adults in the United States. Researchers discovered that people who spent more time on social
media had higher depression risk. The authors of the study believe that the negative effects of
social media on mental health may be caused by social comparison, exposure to unfavorable events
and news or the pressure to maintain an ideal online persona. Although the study provides evidence
of the potential negative effects of social media use on mental health, it is limited by the fact
that the data was collected at a single point in time and relied on self-reported measures.

Braghieri et al., (2020) present a report on the current state of social media use in the United
States. The authors conducted a analysis of the data gathered from over 4,000 adults by the Pew
Research Centre, revealing that most Americans use one or more social media platforms. The report
also highlighted the differences in social media use across different demographic groups. Although
the report provides valuable insights into social media use in the United States, it is limitited
by the fact that it only focuses on one country. On the other hand the recent research done by
Bashir and Bhat (2020) focused on the effects of social media on mental health. Compared to
Braghieri’s and Levy’s report this research is not limited by the fact that it focuses on only one
country. The authors examined both potential negative and positive effects of social media use on
mental health, including anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, and self-esteem. (Bashir & Bhat,
2020) found that the more time spent on social media, the more likely one is to experience one of
the potential negative effects. The article also highlights the rise of Phantom Vibration Syndrome,
which is the frequent checking of messages even though nobody texted you. While this article
provides a comprehensive overview of the potential effects of social media on mental health, it is
limited by the fact that it does not include any original research and only relies on existing
studies. (Hampton et al., 2015) looked into the function of social media in establishing and
sustaining interpersonal connections. Discoveries were that using social media can support people
in maintaining contact with distant friends and relatives, but the study also discovered that
excessive social media use could cause feelings of social isolation and loneliness (Hampton et al.,
2015).


In 2015 a research study led by Fardouly et al. (2015) aimed to investigate the correlation between
social media usage among young women and their body image concerns, as well as their tendency to
compare themselves to other social media users. The study found that women who spent more time on
social media tended to have more negative perceptions of their bodies and were more likely to
engage in comparisons with others. Fardouly et al., (2015) concluded that social media provides a
platform for constant self-comparison, leading to unrealistic beauty standards. Two years later
in 2017, study made by Huang (2017) looked at how social media use affected college student‘s
self-esteem in the US. Only individuals who used social media to communicate with close friends and
family members showed a favorable relationship between their usage of social media and self-esteem,
according to the authors. According to  Huang, (2017) social media can provide users a sense of
acceptance and validation, which may increase self-esteem. The study's use of self-reported
measures of social media usage and self-esteem, however, places certain restrictions on its
findings.

Conclusion

Overall, the studies reviewed in this literature review suggest that social media use may have
negative effects on mental health, particularly among young people. The potential negative effects
identified include: depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. While some studies have also
highlighted potential positive effects, such as increased self-esteem and social support, further
research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between social media use and
mental health. Interventions aimed at reducing social media use may be beneficial for mental
health.

Reference list

Bashir, H., & Bhat, S. A. (2017). Effects of social media on mental health: A review. International
Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(3), 125-131.

Braghieri, L., Levy, R. E., & Makarin, A. (2022). Social media and mental health. American Economic
Review, 112(11), 3660-3693.

Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social comparisons on
social media: The impact of Facebook on young women's body image concerns and mood. Body image, 13,
38-45.

Hampton, K., Rainie, L., Lu, W., Shin, I., & Purcell, K. (2015). Social media and the cost of
caring.

Huang, C. (2017). Time spent on social network sites and psychological well-being: A
meta-analysis. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(6), 346-354.

Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., ... & Primack, B.
A. (2016). Association between social media use and depression among US young adults. Depression
and anxiety, 33(4), 323-331.