The effects of social media on the mental health of young people

Abstract

The widespread use of social media has become a defining feature of modern life, particularly among adolescents and younger adults. As these platforms increasingly shape communication, social connections, and personal identity, their influence on mental health has become a growing concern. The aim of this study is to explore and evaluate the positive and negative effects of social media, and what causes these effects. Literature review was applied to find information. Data was collected from three different databases: PubMed, Medline and the CINAHL Ultimate. All the articles relevant to the research question were analyzed and the chosen seven articles were included after conducting a critical appraisal. The results shows that there are three different main categories found from the chosen articles. These include positive effects, negative effects and the causes for these effects. These main categories were then divided into six sub-categories. This study highlights the complicated role of social media in shaping and forming the mental health of youth. While social media offers benefits such as creating new connections, providing emotional support, and providing educational opportunities. Social media also presents risks, including depression, anxiety, and isolation, particularly when overused.