IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The high growth rate of the social media has greatly changed how young adults communicate, interact and what they think about themselves. Although social media does have its opportunities such as social connection, self-expression and access to information, the uncontrolled and overuse of the media has become an issue of serious concern in the context of mental health. This paper will look at how the use of social media affects the mental health of young adults, specifically anxiety, depression, stress, selfesteem, and sleep disorders. Based on the available literature and latest empirical studies, the research paper highlights both the favorable and unfavorable psychological impacts of social media use. Among the positive outcomes, one can distinguish the social support, community building, and emotional expression, and among negative consequences, there are mostly cyberbullying, social comparisons, and fear of missing out (FOMO), and addictive use habits. The results indicate that the severity, duration and intent of social media use are critical determinants of mental health outcomes of social media use. The paper emphasized the importance of digital literacy, responsible use, and special mental health assistance as a way of reducing negative outcomes and maximizing positive outcomes among young adults.