SOCIAL MEDIA AND DEPRESSION
A LITERATURE REVIEW. Samuel Suresh (19056281)
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Figure 1. Main Social Media Applications.
UNDERLYING Social media (see figure 1) use entails more
that just the process of engaging with the
FACTORS medium, it involves a variety of debated
factors, which are shown through this poster.
1. USAGE TIME
Rosen et al. (2013) discovered that young people who spent significantly
large amounts of time on Social Media sites such as Facebook, tended
to show more evidence for symptoms of clinical depression.
2. QUALITY OF USE
This is exemplified in the contrasting
results involving negative social
Selfhout et al. (2009) explored a
comparison that once reflected upon,
contrasting view - the idea that how
lead to depression. Contrastingly,
an individual used social media was
individuals who presents themselves
a better predictor of mental
as authentic, is associated with
wellness than general social media
positive well-being in young people.
usage time.
3. SELF-ESTEEM and PERSONALITY
- Neurotic Individuals with a low self-esteem are
more inclined to make comparisons
‘upward’ (negative) in direction in contrasting the
response of individuals high in self-esteem, who
would be less affected.
- In both cases comparisons are made with the
presentation of individuals that is unrealistic, and
has been a causal factor for depression
(Mendelson and Papacharissi, 2010).
SUPERVISOR
Dr. Vlasios Brakoulias
17.5 9:41
THE CONCERN with
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social Media can be defined as a group of
“internet-based applications” that allow
the creation and exchange of user based
content. (Kaplan and Haenlein 2010)
Among adolescents, social media has
become significantly widespread with
Nearly 90% of American teens claiming
453qw0-
to be “active users”, and continue to
outpace all other age groups in adopting
new media (Lenhart, 2015). 

DEPRESSION
Rates of Depression are rising, with
currently, one in five children and
adolescents affected by mental health
problems and disorders.
Correlations have been made between
social media use and depression, which
has caused concern around the topic of
these applications.
What is the Purpose of the Review?
In the words George and Odgers: "the
question is no longer if children are
using digital technology, but how, why,
and with what effects.”
WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 2019
AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE
4. REASONS FOR USE
- The need to belong and the need to present
themselves, are the main factors driving use as
well (Nadkarni and Hofmann, 2012). Facebook
and Instagram present opportunities to satisfy
the need for self worth.
- Tamir and Mitchell (2012) suggest that the
engagement in social media activates the
“intrinsic reward system” of the brain in a very
similar way to primary rewards such as food. 

- Sherman L et al (2016) highlight the addictive
nature of accumulating “likes” from social
media posts, that act as a part of the reward
system.
RESHAPING RELATIONSHIPS
Sherry Turkle (2012), describes how social media is so seductive as it
creates the “illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship”.
Although individuals have more relationships, they are not as
emotionally or psychologically fulfilling.
CONCLUSIONS
This poster captures just a glimpse into the complexity of the
factors that contribute to depression in young people, as it is a
topic that varies in view points. There are many opportunities to
create more valid tests for these areas and more areas as well.
REFERENCES
1. Selfhout MH, Branje SJ, Delsing M, ter Bogt TF, Meeus WH 2009, ‘Different types of Internet use, depression,
and social anxiety: the role of perceived friendship quality.’Journal of Adolescence Volume 32 (4), pp. 819-833

2. Sherman LE, Payton A, Hernandez LM, Greenfield PM, and Dapretto M 2016, ‘The Power of the Like in
Adolescence: Effects of Peer Influence on Neural and Behavioural Responses to Social Media, Psychological
Science Vol. 27(7) pp. 1027 –1035 

3. Strickland A, 2014, ‘Exploring the Effects of Social Media Use in the Mental Health of Young Adults’, HIM
1990-2015. 1684. 

4. Tamir DI, and Mitchell JP 2012, ‘Disclosing information about the self is intrinsically rewarding’, Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, Vol.109 (21), pp. 8038