The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of

Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

Humans are naturally social species that depend on the companionship of others to thrive in life.
Thus, while being socially linked with others helps alleviate stress, worry, and melancholy, a
lack of social connection can pose major threats to one's mental health [1]. Over the past 10
years, the rapid emergence of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
others has led to some significant changes in how people connect and communicate (Table 1).
Over one billion people are currently active users of Facebook, the largest social networking
website, and it is anticipated that this number will grow significantly over time, especially in
developing countries. Facebook is used for both personal and professional interaction, and its
deployment has had a number of positive effects on connectivity, idea sharing, and online
learning [2]. Furthermore, the number of social media users globally in 2019 was 3.484 billion, a
9% increase year on year [3].
Table 1. List of social media applications available on the internet.
Social media applications Examples
Social networks Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat
Media sharing WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok
Messengers Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, iMessage
Blogging platforms WordPress, Wikipedia
Discussion forums Reddit, Twitter
Fitness & lifestyle Fitbit
Open in a new tab

Mental health is represented as a state of well-being in which individuals recognize their

Social media use and mental health may be related, and the displaced behavior theory could
assist in clarifying why. The displaced behavior hypothesis is a psychology theory that suggests
people have limited self-control and, when confronted with a challenging or stressful situation,
may engage in behaviors that bring instant gratification but are not in accordance with their long-
term objectives [6]. In addition, when people are unable to deal with stress in a healthy way, they
may act out in ways that temporarily make them feel better but ultimately harm their long-term
goals and wellness [7,8]. In the 1990s, social psychologist Roy Baumeister initially suggested the
displaced behavior theory [9]. Baumeister suggested that self-control is a limited resource that
can be drained over time and that when self-control resources are low, people are more likely to
engage in impulsive or self-destructive conduct [9]. This can lead to a cycle of bad behaviors and
outcomes, as individuals may engage in behaviors that bring short respite but eventually add to
their stress and difficulties [9]. According to the hypothetical terms, those who participate in
sedentary behaviors, including social media, engage in fewer opportunities for in-person social
interaction, both of which have been demonstrated to be protective against mental illnesses [10].
Social theories, on the other hand, discovered that social media use influences mental health by
affecting how people interpret, maintain, and interact with their social network [4].

Numerous studies on social media's effects have been conducted, and it has been proposed that
prolonged use of social media sites like Facebook may be linked to negative manifestations and
symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress [11]. A distinct and important time in a person's life
is adolescence. Additionally, risk factors such as family issues, bullying, and social isolation are
readily available at this period, and it is crucial to preserve social and emotional growth. The
growth of digital technology has affected numerous areas of adolescent lives. Nowadays,
teenagers' use of social media is one of their most apparent characteristics. Being socially
connected with other people is a typical phenomenon, whether at home, school, or a social
gathering, and adolescents are constantly in touch with their classmates via social media
accounts. Adolescents are drawn to social networking sites because they allow them to publish
pictures, images, and videos on their platforms. It also allows teens to establish friends, discuss
ideas, discover new interests, and try out new kinds of self-expression. Users of these
platforms can freely like and comment on posts as well as share them without any restrictions.
Teenagers now frequently post insulting remarks on social media platforms. Adolescents
frequently engage in trolling for amusement without recognizing the potentially harmful
consequences. Trolling on these platforms focuses on body shaming, individual abilities,
language, and lifestyle, among other things. The effects that result from trolling might cause
anxiety, depressive symptoms, stress, feelings of isolation, and suicidal thoughts. The authors
explain the influence of social media on teenage well-being through a review of existing
literature and provide intervention and preventative measures at the individual, family, and
community levels [12].
Review

Although there is a "generally correlated" link between teen social media use and depression,
certain outcomes have been inconsistent (such as the association between time spent on social
media and mental health issues), and the data quality is frequently poor [13]. Browsing social
media could increase your risk of self-harm, loneliness, and empathy loss, according to a number
of research studies. Other studies either concluded that there is no harm or that some people,
such as those who are socially isolated or marginalized, may benefit from using social media
[10]. Because of the rapid expansion of the technological landscape in recent years, social media
has become increasingly important in the lives of young people. Social networking has created
both enormous new challenges and interesting new opportunities. Research is beginning to
indicate how specific social media interactions may impair young people's mental health [14].
Teenagers could communicate with one another on social media platforms, as well as produce,
like, and share content. In most cases, these individuals are categorized as active users. On the
other hand, teens can also use social media in a passive manner by "lurking" and focusing
entirely on the content that is posted by others. The difference between active and passive social
media usage is sometimes criticized as a false dichotomy because it does not necessarily reveal
whether a certain activity is goal-oriented or indicative of procrastination [15]. However, the text
provides no justification for why this distinction is wrong [16]. For instance, one definition of
procrastination is engaging in conversation with other people to put off working on a task that is
more important. The goal of seeing the information created by other people, as opposed to
participating with those same individuals, may be to keep up with the lives of friends. One of the
most important distinctions that can be made between the various sorts is whether the usage is
social. When it comes to understanding and evaluating all these different applications of digital
technology, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. Combining all digital acts into a single
predictor of pleasure would, from both a philosophical and an empirical one, invariably results in
a reduction in accuracy [17].

Methodology

This systematic review was carried out and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting
Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and standard practices in
the field. The purpose of this study was to identify studies on the influence of technology,
primarily social media, on the psychosocial functioning, health, and well-being of adolescents
and young adults.

The MEDLINE bibliographical database, PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL (Cumulative Index
to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and Scopus were searched between 1 January 2000 and
30 May 2023. Social media AND mental health AND adolescents AND young adults were
included in the search strategy (impact or relation or effect or influence).

Two researchers (AK and AR) separately conducted a literature search utilizing the search
method and evaluated the inclusion eligibility of the discovered papers based on their titles and
abstracts. Then, the full texts of possibly admissible publications were retrieved and evaluated
for inclusion. Disagreements among the researchers were resolved by debate and consensus.

The researchers included studies that examined the impact of technology, primarily social media,
on the psychosocial functioning, health, and well-being of adolescents and young adults. We
only considered English publications, reviews, longitudinal surveys, and cross-sectional studies.
We excluded studies that were not written in English, were not comparative, were case reports,
did not report the results of interest, or did not list the authors' names. We also found additional
articles by looking at the reference lists of the retrieved articles.

Using a uniform form, the two researchers (AK and AA) extracted the data individually and
independently. The extracted data include the author, publication year, study design, sample size
and age range, outcome measures, and the most important findings or conclusions.
A narrative synthesis of the findings was used to analyze the data, which required summarizing
and presenting the results of the included research in a logical and intelligible manner. Each
study's key findings or conclusions were summarized in a table.

Results

Study Selection

A thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library,
was done from 1 January 2000 to 20 May 2023. Initial research revealed 326 potentially relevant
studies. After deleting duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, the eligibility of 34 full-text
publications was evaluated. A total of 23 papers were removed for a variety of reasons, including
non-comparative studies, case reports, and studies that did not report results of interest

This systematic review identified 11 studies that examined the connection between social media
use and depression symptoms in children and adolescents. The research demonstrated a modest
but statistically significant association between social media use and depression symptoms.
However, this relationship's causality is unclear, and additional study is required to construct
explanatory models and hypotheses for inferential studies [18].

Additional research studied the effects of technology on the psychosocial functioning, health,
and well-being of adolescents and young adults. Higher levels of social media usage were
connected with worse mental health outcomes [19], and higher levels of social media use were
associated with an increased risk of internalizing and externalizing difficulties among
adolescents, especially females [20]. The use of social media was also connected with body
image problems and disordered eating, especially among young women [21], and social media
may be a risk factor for alcohol consumption and associated consequences among adolescents
and young adults [22].

It was discovered that cyberbullying victimization is connected with poorer mental health
outcomes in teenagers, including an increased risk of sadness and anxiety [23]. The use of social
media was also connected with more depressive symptoms and excessive reassurance-seeking,
but also with greater popularity and perceived social support [24], as well as appearance
comparisons and body image worries, especially among young women [25]. Children and
adolescents' bedtime media device use was substantially related to inadequate sleep quantity,
poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime drowsiness [26].

Online friends can be a significant source of social support, but in-person social support appears
to provide greater protection against persecution [27]. Digital and social media use offers both
benefits and risks to the health of children and adolescents, and an individualized family media
use plan can help strike a balance between screen time/online time and other activities, set
boundaries for accessing content, promote digital literacy, and support open family
communication and consistent media use rules (Tables 2, 3) [28].

Discussion

Does Social Media Have a Positive or Negative Impact on Adolescents and Young Adults?

Adults frequently blame the media for the problems that younger generations face, conceptually
bundling different behaviors and patterns of use under a single term when it comes to using
media to increase acceptance or a feeling of community [29,30]. The effects of social media on
mental health are complex, as different goals are served by different behaviors and different
outcomes are produced by distinct patterns of use [31]. The numerous ways that people use
digital technology are often disregarded by policymakers and the general public, as they are seen
as "generic activities" that do not have any specific impact [32]. Given this, it is crucial to
acknowledge the complex nature of the effects that digital technology has on adolescents' mental
health [19]. This empirical uncertainty is made worse by the fact that there are not many
documented metrics of how technology is used. Self-reports are the most commonly used
method for measuring technology use, but they can be prone to inaccuracy. This is because self-
reports are based on people's own perceptions of their behavior, and these perceptions can be
inaccurate [33]. At best, there is simply a weak correlation between self-reported smartphone
usage patterns and levels that have been objectively verified [34,35].

When all different kinds of technological use are lumped together into a single behavioral
category, not only does the measurement of that category contribute to a loss of precision, but the
category also contributes to a loss of precision. To obtain precision, we need to investigate the
repercussions of a wide variety of applications, ideally guided by the findings of scientific
research [36]. The findings of this research have frequently been difficult to interpret, with many
of them suggesting that using social media may have a somewhat negative but significantly
damaging impact on one's mental health [36]. There is a growing corpus of research that is
attempting to provide a more in-depth understanding of the elements that influence the
development of mental health, social interaction, and emotional growth in adolescents [20].

It is challenging to provide a succinct explanation of the effects that social media has on young
people because it makes use of a range of different digital approaches [37,38]. To utilize and
respond to social media in either an adaptive or maladaptive manner, it is crucial to first have a
solid understanding of personal qualities that some children may be more likely to exhibit than
others [39]. In addition to this, the specific behaviors or experiences on social media that put
teenagers in danger need to be recognized.

When a previous study particularly questioned teenagers in the United States, the authors found
that 31% of them believe the consequences are predominantly good, 45% believe they are
neither positive nor harmful, and 24% believe they are unfavorable [21]. Teens who considered
social media beneficial reported that they were able to interact with friends, learn new things,
and meet individuals who shared similar interests because of it. Social media is said to enhance
the possibility of (i) bullying, (ii) ignoring face-to-face contact, and (iii) obtaining incorrect
beliefs about the lives of other people, according to those who believe the ramifications are
serious [21]. In addition, there is the possibility of avoiding depression and suicide by
recognizing the warning signs and making use of the information [40]. A common topic that
comes up in this area of research is the connection that should be made between traditional risks
and those that can be encountered online. The concept that the digital age and its effects are too
sophisticated, rapidly shifting, or nuanced for us to fully comprehend or properly shepherd
young people through is being questioned, which challenges the traditional narrative that is sent
to parents [41]. The last thing that needs to be looked at is potential mediators of the link
between social factors and teenage depression and suicidality (for example, gender, age, and the
participation of parents) [22].

The Dangers That Come With Young Adults Utilizing Social Media

The experiences that adolescents have with their peers have a substantial impact on the onset and
maintenance of psychopathology in those teenagers. Peer relationships in the world of social
media can be more frequent, intense, and rapid than in real life [42]. Previous research [22] has
identified a few distinct types of peer interactions that can take place online as potential risk
factors for mental health. Being the target of cyberbullying, also known as cyber victimization,
has been shown to relate to greater rates of self-inflicted damage, suicidal ideation, and a variety
of other internalizing and externalizing issues [43]. Additionally, young people may be put in
danger by the peer pressure that can be found on social networking platforms [44]. This can take
the form of being rejected by peers, engaging in online fights, or being involved in drama or
conflict [45]. Peer influence processes may also be amplified among teenagers who spend time
online, where they have access to a wider diversity of their peers as well as content that could be
damaging to them [46]. If young people are exposed to information on social media that depicts
risky behavior, their likelihood of engaging in such behavior themselves (such as drinking or
using other drugs) may increase [22]. It may be simple to gain access to online materials that
deal with self-harm and suicide, which may result in an increase in the risk of self-harm among
adolescents who are already at risk [22]. A recent study found that 14.8% of young people who
were admitted to mental hospitals because they posed a risk to others or themselves had viewed
internet sites that encouraged suicide in the two weeks leading up to their admission [24]. The
research was conducted on young people who were referred to mental hospitals because they
constituted a risk to others or themselves [24]. They prefer to publish pictures of themselves on
social networking sites, which results in a steady flow of messages and pictures that are often
and painstakingly modified to present people in a favorable light [24]. This influences certain
young individuals, leading them to begin making unfavorable comparisons between themselves
and others, whether about their achievements, their abilities, or their appearance [47,48].

There is a correlation between higher levels of social networking in comparison and depressed
symptoms in adolescents, according to studies [25]. When determining how the use of
technology impacts the mental health of adolescents, it is essential to consider the issue of
displacement. This refers to the question of what other important activities are being replaced by
time spent on social media [49]. It is a well-established fact that the circadian rhythms of
children and adolescents have a substantial bearing on both their physical and mental
development.

However, past studies have shown a consistent connection between using a mobile device before
bed and poorer sleep quality results [50]. These results include shorter sleep lengths, decreased
sleep quality, and daytime tiredness [50]. Notably, 36% of adolescents claim they wake up at
least once over the course of the night to check their electronic devices, and 40% of adolescents
say they use a mobile device within five minutes of going to bed [25]. Because of this, the
impact of social media on the quality of sleep continues to be a substantial risk factor for
subsequent mental health disorders in young people, making it an essential topic for the
continuation of research in this area [44].

Most studies that have been conducted to investigate the link between using social media and
experiencing depression symptoms have concentrated on how frequently and problematically
people use social media [4]. Most of the research that was taken into consideration for this study
found a positive and reciprocal link between the use of social media and feelings of depression
and, on occasion, suicidal ideation [51,52]. Additionally, it is unknown to what extent the
vulnerability of teenagers and the characteristics of substance use affect this connection [52]. It is
also unknown whether other aspects of the environment, such as differences in cultural norms or
the advice and support provided by parents, have any bearing on this connection [25]. Even if it
is probable that moderate use relates to improved self-regulation, it is not apparent whether this
is the result of intermediate users having naturally greater self-regulation [25].

Gains From Social Media

Even though most of the debate on young people and new media has centered on potential
issues, the unique features of the social media ecosystem have made it feasible to support
adolescent mental health in more ways than ever before [39]. Among other benefits, using social
media may present opportunities for humor and entertainment, identity formation, and creative
expression [53]. More mobile devices than ever before are in the hands of teenagers, and they are
using social media at never-before-seen levels [27]. This may not come as a surprise given how
strongly young people are drawn to digital devices and the affordances they offer, as well as their
heightened craving for novelty, social acceptance, and affinity [27]. Teenagers are interacting
with digital technology for longer periods of time, so it is critical to comprehend the effects of
this usage and use new technologies to promote teens' mental health and well-being rather than
hurt it [53]. Considering the ongoing public discussion, we should instead emphasize that digital
technology is neither good nor bad in and of itself [27].

One of the most well-known benefits of social media is social connection; 81% of students say it
boosts their sense of connectedness to others. Connecting with friends and family is usually cited
by teenagers as the main benefit of social media, and prior research typically supports the notion
that doing so improves people's well-being. Social media can be used to increase acceptance or a
feeling of community by providing adolescents with opportunities to connect with others who
share their interests, beliefs, and experiences [29]. Digital media has the potential to improve
adolescent mental health in a variety of ways, including cutting-edge applications in medical
screening, treatment, and prevention [28]. In terms of screening, past research has suggested that
perusing social media pages for signs of melancholy or drug abuse may be viable. More
advanced machine-learning approaches have been created to identify mental disease signs on
social media, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidality. Self-report
measures are used in most studies currently conducted on adolescent media intake. It is
impossible to draw firm conclusions on whether media use precedes and predicts negative effects
on mental health because research has only been conducted once. Adults frequently blame the
media for the problems that younger generations face [30]. Because they are cyclical, media
panics should not just be attributed to the novel and the unknown. Teenagers' time management,
worldview, and social interactions have quickly and dramatically changed as a result of
technology. Social media offers a previously unheard-of opportunity to spread awareness of
mental health difficulties, and social media-based health promotion programs have been tested
for a range of cognitive and behavioral health conditions. Thanks to social media's instant
accessibility, extensive possibilities, and ability to reach remote areas, young people with mental
health issues have exciting therapy options [54]. Preliminary data indicate that youth-focused
mental health mobile applications are acceptable, but further research is needed to assess their
usefulness and effectiveness. Youth now face new opportunities and problems as a result of the
growing significance of digital media in their life. An expanding corpus of research suggests that
teenagers' use of social media may have an impact on their mental health. But more research is
needed [18] considering how swiftly the digital media landscape is changing.
Conclusions

In the digital era, people efficiently employ technology; it does not "happen" to them. Studies
show that the average kid will not be harmed by using digital technology, but that does not mean
there are no situations where it could. In this study, we discovered a connection between social
media use and adolescent depression. Since cross-sectional research represents the majority,
longitudinal studies are required. The social and personal life of young people is heavily
influenced by social media. Based on incomplete and contradictory knowledge on young people
and digital technology, professional organizations provide guidance to parents, educators, and
institutions. If new technologies are necessary to promote social interaction or develop digital
and relational (digitally mediated) skills for growing economies, policies restricting teen access
to them may be ineffective. The research on the impact of social media on mental health is still
in its early stages, and more research is needed before we can make definitive recommendations
for parents, educators, or institutions. Reaching young people during times of need and when
assistance is required is crucial for their health. The availability of various friendships and
services may improve the well-being of teenagers.