THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH OF

YOUTH (UNIVERSITY STUDENTS) IN THE UAE

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Abstract
In this current era, the frequent usage of social media has become an essential part of an

individual’s daily activity. Moreover, social media can be used to refer to

online and digital platforms which helps people interact with each other through virtual

networking. Currently, there are many social media platforms some are

(Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, or LinkedIn) which are most commonly used by

individuals. In addition to this, on these digital platforms, people can share various kinds of

digital content like e-mails, pictures, and videos. Furthermore, the social media platforms that

are more common among youngsters are Instagram and Snapchat. Information driven from

previous studies has declared that the frequency of social media usage frequency is the same

among normal people and mentally challenged people. However, another study showed that

middle-aged and older people use social media ranging from roughly 70% to up to 97%

depending on their interest in specific platforms. At the same time, another study suggested
that students who spent most of their time on Facebook were more likely to adopt feelings of

jealousy for others assuming that people in their social network had a better life than they

have. "A universal nervousness is very common among young adults that others might be

having satisfying experiences which they cannot do. To examine the time duration of social

media usage among various demographic groups. To identify the relationship between social

media usage patterns and mental health indicators which include lack of self-esteem,

insecurity, inferiority complex, depression, and anxiety. To explore the activities of social

media (like spending time on Twitter, watching reels on Instagram, sending pictures, or

passive scrolling) that are somehow related to mental health outcomes. The methodology of

this research will be based on a qualitative method to have a real understanding of social

media's impact on mental health. Moreover, qualitative data will be gathered through

interviews which will be determined by using thematic analysis to get the in-depth

knowledge of social media usage on mental health.

Introduction

Social media are communicating technologies that assist the formation, sharing and collection

of ideas, content, interests, and other modes of expression. Moreover, social media can be

used to refer to online and digital platforms which help people interact with each other

through virtual networking. In addition, social media is an application and a means of

communication channel that lets users communicate with each other by sharing text, and

calls. Currently, there are many social media platforms some are Facebook, Instagram,

Snapchat, Twitter, or LinkedIn) which are most commonly used by individuals (Braghieri,

Levy, and Makarin, 2022). In addition to this, on these digital platforms, people can share

various kinds of digital content like e-mails, pictures, and videos. Furthermore, the social

media platforms that are most common among youngsters are Instagram and Snapchat. One
of the major features of social media is communication. Chats are a powerful means of

communication due to a social network, among social media users. Individuals can chat

privately or in groups. Thus, besides the effective use of social media, the passive use of

social media by teenagers has a significant effect on mental health issues specifically

including symptoms like anxiety, depression, and lack of self-esteem. The unnecessary use of

social media programs has been found to have an adverse impact on mental health. The usage

of social media has been associated with depression, poor sleep patterns, and anxiety.

Youngsters with mental issues tend to impair their conditions by contributing to social media

chat groups. In addition, constant conversation with others increases mental health issues for

people as they do not feel their physical presence which results in more loneliness, a usual or

major factor in mental deterioration. While conversation may not directly trigger depression

and other intellectual and mental health issues, it can worsen a person's symptoms if one is

involved in long conversations. The effect of social media might also result in eating

disorders and issues with body shaming. Even after just ten minutes of Facebook surfing,

female participants get depressive feelings because of watching every other girl on a digital

platform with beautiful skin and body. In addition to this, there may be two ways for this link

to exist. Moreover, teens who use social media extensively may, on the one hand, be more

vulnerable to mental health issues because they are not involved in offline activities that are

beneficial for physical and mental well-being. Whereas teenagers who experience extreme

issues of depression and anxiety are more likely to use social media broadly to get support

from others and feel less alone in their struggles. A rising amount of research has been done

currently on social media use as well as the way it affects the mental of youngsters and their

quality of sleep. In addition, there are conflicting data currently available about the directivity

and relationships between social media use, sleep as well as mental health. Those who

already have mental health issues are at a higher risk of experiencing these effects (Naslund
et al., 2020). In this research, the researcher will aim to understand the impact of social media

on mental health. However, this research mainly focuses on the relationship between the

usage of social media patterns and its effects on mental well-being. In this current era, the

frequent usage of social media has become an essential part of an individual’s daily activity.

Literature review

Abi-Jaoude et al. (2020) demonstrated that social media is the means of connections among

groups and individuals in which they form, share, and exchange knowledge and information

as well as ideas in online networks and groups. The Marketing and Office of

Communications handles the X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

accounts. Abi-Jaoude et al. (2020) stated that mental health is important for the well-being

and mental health of individuals, yet it is often ignored due to the high usage of social media.

World Health Organization stated that the occurrence of mental health issues is rising per

year. These numbers are possibly to continue to increase because of a number of factors. One

factor that has been detected as a causing factor is the expansion in challenges of mental

health which is due to the use of digital technologies, such as social media. Moreover, it is

identified that playing games on social networks, communicating on social media, as well as

interrelating on video conferencing networks may adversely affect the mental health of

individuals. Moreover, the interactions on social media and sharing of media trigger social

media users to consider less of themselves. Also, one of the main issues of the increase in

mental health is not having good videos because of poor equipment, like cameras as their

friends' devices. Furthermore, watching and sharing content and videos on social media can

be an addiction if left unrestricted. In addition, the active viewing of and commenting on

videos on YouTube makes a habitual platform overly addictive compared to individuals who

inactively watch videos deprived of socialized interactions. The public's interactions on

individual's overly dependent habit of social media, which interferes with their mental health.

Moreover, the information-driven from previous studies has mentioned that the rate of social

media usage frequency is the same among normal people and mentally challenged people.

However, middle-aged and older people use social media ranging from roughly 70% to up to

97% depending on their interest in specific platforms. Whereas, Nesi (2020) suggested that

students who spent most of their time on Facebook were more likely to adopt feelings of

jealousy for others assuming that people in their social network had a better life than they

have. "A universal nervousness is very common among young adults that others might be

having rewarding experiences which they cannot do. Boer et al. (2021) identified that

information driven from other studies has concluded that this level of stress relates to social

media usage in which the viewer starts comparing their life with the one they are watching on

social media platforms.

Marciano et al. (2022) proposed that using social media closer to bedtime raises cognitive

arousal, which delays sleep latency and makes it harder to stay asleep. Regarding this

relationship, Marciano et al. (2022) have put up, such as the idea that time spent online

"displaces" time spent sleeping and interacting with people in person, making up for a lack of

social skills and an inability to get enough sleep, and feeling obligated to constantly be

available. Because they are still forming a sense of self-regulation as they become older,

youth is particularly vulnerable to peer pressure. As a result, individuals can be more

vulnerable to the negative impacts of social media use, such as worsening mental health and

sleep quality. Thus, understanding how social media use affects sleep and mental health is

crucial for guiding personal choices and health regulations, as well as for evaluating social

media as a tool for improving health. Ortiz-Ospina and Roser (2024) determined that social

media usage must be limited to a half hour a day which ultimately reduces feelings of
depression, anxiety, and loneliness. In addition, social media is a valuable tool of social

networking which can help to stay connected with family and friends, and it is also useful in

making new friends. However, the rising concerns about social media's popularity over its

effect on mental health need to be considered. Moreover, using social media can interfere

with and restrict direct communications. In addition, connecting and meeting people directly

for communication is effective in making strong bonds. Furthermore, people must be aware

of the fact that their working hours must not be interrupted by using social media.

Problem statement

Various studies on social media's impacts have been conducted, and it has been suggested

that long usage of social media such as Facebook can be associated with adverse symptoms

and indications of anxiety, depression, and stress (Braghieri et al., 2022). Thus, there is a

requirement for evidence-based strategies and interventions to boost positive mental health

effects among social media operators. For instance, Naslund et al. (2020) determined the

potential benefits of digital interventions to promote awareness while using social media.

Moreover, social media literacy programs have the potential to promote positive mental

health outcomes. Thus, there has been minimal research regarding the impact of social media

on mental health covering the examination of different factors that change the mental health

of the worker.

Research Objectives

1. To review the existing research on the relationship between mental health outcomes and

social media usage.

2. To determine the social media impact on the mental health of individuals.

3. To determine the solution to social media affecting mental health.

Research Design

This study will be based on exploratory research and examine the impact of social media on

mental health. The motive for using exploratory research is to collect in-depth knowledge on

how social media will affect the mental health of people.

Data Collection

This study wields a qualitative research method, the data for this research will be collected by

conducting a semi-structured and unstructured interview. This research will collect data from

40 participants (both male and females) and the data will be collected from people between

the ages of 17 and 23. The participants will be chosen from universities within Dubai. The

motive for using the qualitative method of data collection will be to attain real information

that how people get affected through the usage of social media.

Data Analysis

This study will be analysed using thematic analysis method finding meaningful patterns from

the interview transcripts collected.

Sampling

The interview will be conducted through snowball sampling. This research will be targeting

university students in the UAE. The sample size would be around 40 participants from

universities within Dubai.

Ethical considerations

Ethical consideration will be an important aspect of this study throughout the data collection

process. Before the data collection, the researcher has to ask the participants for their consent
in this study and ensure that their confidentiality will be maintained. However, it is also

integral to incorporate measures that will ensure the well-being of participants. Before data

collection, the researcher will briefly explain the study to the participants and provide them

with useful resources for mental health support. In addition to this, ethical approval will be

required from the institutional review of board directors before starting the data collection.

Significance

This research includes significant implications such as healthcare practitioners, policymakers,

the owners of social media platforms, and individuals who have mental issues because of

social media usage. By understanding the relationship between frequency and pattern of

social media usage and its effects on mental health outcomes, the interpretations will help the

research to identify the interventions. The interventions are composed of strategies that can

improve mental health and reduce the negative effects of social media usage. The results from

this study might act as a contribution to the development of evidence-based guidelines and

policies for effective social media usage.

Timeline

S.NO Target Date

1. Introduction & Lit. Review

2. Data Collection

3. Data Analysis

4. First Draft
References

1. Braghieri, L., Levy, R.E. and Makarin, A., 2022. Social media and mental health.

American Economic Review, 112(11), pp.3660-3693.

2. Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. and Aschbrenner, K.A., 2020. Social media and

mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of

technology in behavioral science, 5, pp.245-257.

3. Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K.T. and Pignatiello, A., 2020. Smartphones, social media use

and youth mental health. Cmaj, 192(6), pp. E136-E141.

4. Nesi, J., 2020. The impact of social media on youth mental health: challenges and

opportunities. North Carolina medical journal, 81(2), pp.116-121.

5. Boer, M., Stevens, G.W., Finkenauer, C., de Looze, M.E. and van den Eijnden, R.J.,

2021. Social media use intensity, social media use problems, and mental health among

adolescents: Investigating directionality and mediating processes. Computers in

Human Behavior, 116, p.106645.

use and adolescents' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic

review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in public health, 9, p.793868.

7. Ortiz-Ospina, E. and Roser, M., 2024. Are Facebook and other social media platforms

bad for our well-being? Our world in data.