THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5474Keywords:
Social Media; Mental Health; Adolescents; Depression; Anxiety; Digital BehaviorAbstract
The rapid expansion of social media has substantially altered communication and social interaction trends, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This review studies the impact of social media use on the mental health of young people by synthesizing existing literature. A narrative literature review methodology was employed, analyzing peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2023, identified through databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect.
The findings show that the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex. Excessive or passive use is frequently connected to higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances. Contributing factors include social comparison, cyberbullying, and maladaptive usage patterns. In contrast, social media can also offer benefits through facilitating social support, enhancing connectedness, and improving access to mental health information.
The results suggest that the impact of social media is neither inherently negative nor positive, but relies on factors such as usage patterns, types of engagement, and individual characteristics. This review stresses the importance of encouraging digital skills and responsible social media use. Furthermore, it points out the need for longitudinal research to clarify causal relationships and long-term effects. These outcomes possess significant effects for public health, education, and policy development in the context of increasing digitalization.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Weronika Patrycja Wagner, Patryk Bartłomiej Twardy
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