Virtual Connections and Youth Well-being

Analyzing Social Media’s Influence on Adolescent Mental Health

Abstract

The realm of social media is growing at a rapid rate, and adolescents are undeniably attracted to the notion of virtual platforms and unlimited communication with others. While there are a multitude of studies exploring social media’s impacts on individuals, there is a lack of analysis regarding the specific and nuanced effects of social media on adolescent mental health. This study explores the reason behind adolescent addiction to social media, examining adolescent, parent, and objective perspectives on this issue. A detailed synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data was conducted through an examination of user behaviors, engagement patterns, and attitudinal surveys. Resulting analysis suggests that social media has a negative impact on adolescent mental health, leading to psychological consequences such as depression and FoMO, affecting both emotional and cognitive well-being. Future implications point towards conducting further studies to investigate the relationship between adolescents and social media, with the ultimate goal of identifying and implementing addiction-prevention methods.