The impact of social media on mental health

1. Introduction

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat have become a ubiquitous
part of our daily lives. With over 3.8 billion active users worldwide, social media has transformed the
way we communicate, connect, and interact with each other. While social media can provide many
benefits, including enhanced communication, networking, and access to information, there are growing
concerns about its impact on our mental health.

Research has shown that social media use can be associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety,
and other mental health problems. These issues may be more pronounced among young people who
are still developing their identities and are more vulnerable to negative social comparison. Excessive use
of social media can also contribute to feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and low self-esteem.
Additionally, social media can expose users to harmful content, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and
graphic images, which can lead to negative mental health outcomes.

However, the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex and multifaceted.
Some studies have shown that social media can provide support, connection, and positive
reinforcement, which can improve mental health outcomes. For example, social media can be a
platform for promoting mental health awareness, peer support, and online therapy. It can also provide
opportunities for individuals to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests or
experiences.

Given the widespread use of social media and its potential impact on mental health, it is important to
better understand this relationship. This thesis aims to explore the link between social media use and
mental health outcomes, including the potential moderators and mediators of this relationship. This
research can inform public health interventions and policies aimed at promoting mental health and well-
being in the digital age.

1.1. Background

Social media platforms have revolutionized the way we communicate, connect, and interact with each
other. These platforms have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, with billions of people using
them every day. Social media can provide many benefits, including enhanced communication,
networking, and access to information. However, there are growing concerns about the impact of social
media on our mental health.

One of the main concerns is that social media use can be associated with increased rates of depression,
anxiety, and other mental health problems. Some researchers have suggested that this may be due to
the fact that social media can lead to negative social comparison. Users are often exposed to curated
images and narratives of other people's lives, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-
esteem. Additionally, social media can be a platform for cyberbullying, hate speech, and other forms of
harmful content, which can contribute to negative mental health outcomes.

However, the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex and multifaceted.
Some studies have shown that social media can provide support, connection, and positive
reinforcement, which can improve mental health outcomes. For example, social media can be a
platform for promoting mental health awareness, peer support, and online therapy. It can also provide
opportunities for individuals to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests or
experiences.

The potential impact of social media on mental health is particularly concerning for young people, who
may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of social media use. Adolescence is a critical period of
development, during which young people are still developing their identities, and are more likely to
experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Social media use may exacerbate
these issues, particularly if young people are exposed to negative content or are subject to
cyberbullying.

Given these concerns, there is a growing need to better understand the impact of social media on
mental health. This thesis aims to explore the link between social media use and mental health
outcomes, including the potential moderators and mediators of this relationship. This research can
inform public health interventions and policies aimed at promoting mental health.

1.2. Social media

Social media is an online platform that allows individuals to interact, share content, and communicate
with each other virtually. It provides users with various tools and features to connect with people
around the world, such as messaging, posting pictures, videos, and text updates.

Social media platforms are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, with simple interfaces that allow
users to quickly and easily create accounts and start connecting with others. Users can find and follow
their friends, family, and acquaintances, or discover new connections based on shared interests,
hobbies, or professions.

Social media also provides users with the ability to participate in online communities and join groups of
like-minded people. These communities can be focused on a wide range of topics, such as music, sports,
food, politics, and more. Users can engage with others in these groups by posting content, commenting,
and liking posts.

Another important aspect of social media is the ability to share information and news. Users can share
news stories, articles, and other content with their followers and friends, helping to spread important
information and raise awareness about various topics.

1.3. Type of social Media

There are several types of social media, each with its unique features and functionalities. Here are some
of the most common types:

 Social networking sites: These are platforms that allow users to create profiles, connect with
others, and share information, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace.
 Microblogging platforms: These platforms allow users to post short-form content, such as
tweets, which can be shared with a wide audience. Examples include Twitter and Tumblr.
 Media sharing sites: These platforms allow users to share photos, videos, and other media
content with their followers and friends, such as Instagram, YouTube, and Flickr.
  Discussion forums: These platforms allow users to create and participate in online discussions
about various topics, such as Reddit and Quora.
 Bookmarking sites: These platforms allow users to save and share links to web pages and
articles, such as Pinterest and Pocket.
 Blogging platforms: These platforms allow users to create and share blog posts on a wide range
of topics, such as WordPress and Medium.
 Messaging apps: These platforms allow users to communicate with others via text, voice, and
video, such as WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger.

1.4. Impact of Social Media

Social media has had a tremendous impact on our society in recent years. It has transformed the way we
communicate, access information, and connect with others, making it easier than ever before to share
our experiences and perspectives with a global audience. Social media has also become a powerful tool
for businesses, organizations, and individuals to build relationships and engage with their audiences in
new and innovative ways. However, it has also raised concerns about privacy, data security, and its
impact on mental health, with some experts warning of the potential negative effects of excessive use.
Overall, social media has had a significant impact on our lives and will continue to shape the way we
interact and engage with the world around us in the years to come.

1.5. Factors Associated with Social Media In Pakistan

Pakistan is rapidly emerging as a major market for social media, with a growing number of users
engaging with various platforms. Several factors have contributed to the popularity of social media in
Pakistan, including increased connectivity, a large youth population, and a strong culture of online
engagement. With over 100 million internet users, Pakistan's population is highly connected, with a
large portion of the population accessing social media via smartphones. Additionally, the country has a
large and growing youth population, with around 64% of the population below the age of 30. This
demographic is highly tech-savvy and actively engaged in social media, driving the growth of platforms
like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Finally, Pakistan has a strong culture of online engagement, with
users actively sharing opinions, news, and information across social media platforms. This has created a
vibrant social media landscape that continues to evolve and expand, providing new opportunities for
businesses, individuals, and communities to connect and engage with each other.

1.6. Social Med ia And Mental Health

The relationship between social media and mental health is complex and multifaceted. While social
media can provide social support and foster connections with others, excessive use can also contribute
to feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. Studies have shown that individuals who spend more
time on social media are more likely to experience negative mental health outcomes, such as low self-
esteem, social comparison, and cyberbullying. Additionally, social media can disrupt sleep patterns and
contribute to addiction, leading to further mental health issues. However, it is important to note that
social media is not inherently negative, and it can be used to promote positive mental health outcomes,
such as building social support networks, sharing positive experiences, and seeking help for mental
health issues. It is crucial to maintain a healthy balance and limit social media use to prevent negative
impacts on mental health.

1.7 Statement of the Problem

The impact of social media on mental health has become an increasingly important issue in
Pakistan, where social media use has rapidly grown in recent years. While social media has
provided a platform for people to connect with each other, share information, and build
communities, research has shown that excessive use of social media can have negative impacts
on mental health, such as increased rates of depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying. Furthermore,
cultural factors unique to Pakistan, such as societal expectations around body image and gender
roles, may exacerbate the negative impacts of social media on mental health. Given the
widespread use of social media in Pakistan and the potential negative impact it can have on
mental health, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms through which social media affects
mental health in the Pakistani context and develop effective strategies to mitigate any negative
impacts.

1.8 Justification of the study

The impact of social media on mental health has become an increasingly important topic of
study in recent years. Social media platforms have grown rapidly in popularity and usage, and
many people spend significant amounts of time on these platforms every day. While social
media has been credited with providing opportunities for connection and support, there is
growing concern about the potential negative effects it can have on mental health, such as
increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. As such, it is important to understand
the impact of social media on mental health in order to develop effective interventions and
policies to promote mental health and well-being in the digital age.

1.9 Objectives
 To investigate the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes, such as
depression, anxiety, and stress.
 To identify specific social media behaviors that may be associated with negative mental health
outcomes, such as excessive social comparison or exposure to cyberbullying.
 To examine the moderating factors that may influence the impact of social media on mental
health, such as age, gender, and social support.
 To explore the potential mechanisms by which social media use may affect mental health, such
as changes in self-esteem, social support, or sleep patterns.
 To compare the impact of different types of social media platforms on mental health outcomes,
such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and identify potential differences in their effects.
1.10 Hypothesis

 Individuals who use social media for longer periods of time each day will report higher levels of
depression and anxiety than those who use social media for shorter periods of time.
 Exposure to cyberbullying on social media will be associated with higher levels of anxiety and
stress, even after controlling for other factors such as age and gender.
 Social comparison on social media, especially with idealized or curated images, will be positively
associated with negative body image and self-esteem.
 Lack of social support on social media will be associated with higher levels of loneliness and
social isolation, which may lead to negative mental health outcomes.
 The use of certain social media platforms, such as Instagram, which are more focused on visual
content, will be associated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction and anxiety, compared to
platforms such as Twitter, which are more focused on text-based content.
1.11 Key Concepts
 Social comparison: Social media provides a platform for individuals to compare themselves to
others, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
 Cyberbullying: Online harassment and bullying through social media can have significant
negative effects on mental health, including increased stress and anxiety, low self-esteem, and
depression.
 Fear of missing out (FOMO): Social media can contribute to a feeling of missing out on
experiences or events, which can lead to increased anxiety and stress.
 Social support: Social media can provide a platform for social support and connection, which can
have positive effects on mental health outcomes such as decreased stress and depression.
 Addiction: Excessive social media use can lead to addiction-like behaviors, including increased
tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, which can have negative effects on mental health.
 Sleep disturbances: Social media use, especially before bedtime, can contribute to sleep
disturbances, which can negatively impact mental health outcomes such as depression and
anxiety.
 2.1 Theories
Social Comparison Theory: This theory suggests that people tend to compare themselves to others, and
social media can exacerbate this phenomenon, leading to negative self-perception and reduced self-
esteem, which can impact mental health.

Self-Determination Theory: This theory proposes that people have three basic psychological needs:
autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Social media can impact these needs, leading to decreased
feelings of autonomy, increased feelings of inadequacy or incompetence, and reduced social
connectedness, which can impact mental health.

Social Learning Theory: This theory suggests that people learn by observing and imitating others, and
social media can impact this process. Exposure to negative behavior or unhealthy habits on social media
can lead to the normalization of such behaviors and potentially impact mental health.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory: This theory suggests that when people encounter information that
conflicts with their beliefs or values, they experience psychological discomfort, which can impact mental
health. Social media can expose people to a wide range of conflicting information, leading to cognitive
dissonance and potential negative mental health outcomes.

Attachment Theory: This theory proposes that early attachment experiences impact later relationships
and mental health. Social media can impact attachment by altering the way people connect with others
and potentially leading to insecure attachment styles, which can impact mental health.

2.2 Related Studies

Article No 1:

Author: Hilal Bashir

From past two decade social media beheld a sporadic enhancement in quantity, quality and utility. As the
body of an individual is nourished by the intake of necessary mineral elements obtained through nutrition,
likewise human mind is nurtured by the availability of nutrition for thoughts. Now a day’s which is readily
available through the advancement of technology, thereby opening a platform for discussion between
social media and mental health of present era. From the dawn of internet and social networking sites
human resources of contemporary world have become more social virtually but less practically. This
virtual life is isolating present man from other fellow beings thereby affecting his health (mental &
physical) and overall balance. Increased usage of social networking among adults of the present era is a
matter of concern for the parents, society & researchers, as there are always two sides (positive &
negative) of every innovation. The aim of present research is to explore the effect of social media on
mental health. To achieve said purpose, the investigator reviewed and synthesized available related
literature. Literature summed so far reveals that younger generation operates susceptibly. As a
confronting population of the present era, younger generation is experiencing embryonic stage of life and
is at higher risk of serious mental health problem. Younger generation of present era is acting as active
users of social media which has affinity towards the problems of mental health. The present perilous
situation requires more understanding, to know relation between social media and mental health
problems is just a kick off point. Exploring and understanding the means with the help of which social
media is affecting mental health of present younger generation is succeeding step which can illuminate
the connections which are at play among these variables of young generation.

Article No 2:

Author: Michelle O’Reilly

Despite growing evidence of the effects of social media on the mental health of adolescents, there is still
a dearth of empirical research into how adolescents themselves perceive social media, especially as
knowledge resource, or how they draw upon the wider social and media discourses to express a
viewpoint. Accordingly, this article contributes to this scarce literature. Six focus groups took place over
3 months with 54 adolescents aged 11–18 years, recruited from schools in Leicester and London (UK).
Thematic analysis suggested that adolescents perceived social media as a threat to mental wellbeing and
three themes were identified: (1) it was believed to cause mood and anxiety disorders for some
adolescents, (2) it was viewed as a platform for cyberbullying and (3) the use of social media itself was
often framed as a kind of ‘addiction’. Future research should focus on targeting and utilising social media
for promoting mental wellbeing among adolescents and educating youth to manage the possible
deleterious effects.

Article No 3:

Author: Chloe Berryman

In recent years many parents, advocates and policy makers have expressed concerns regarding the
potential negative impact of social media use. Some studies have indicated that social media use may be
tied to negative mental health outcomes, including suicidality, loneliness and decreased empathy. Other
studies have not found evidence for harm, or have indicated that social media use may be beneficial for
some individuals. The current correlational study examined 467 young adults for their time spent using
social media, importance of social media in their lives and tendency to engage in vague booking (posting
unclear but alarming sounding posts to get attention). Outcomes considered included general mental
health symptoms, suicidal ideation, loneliness, social anxiety and decreased empathy. Results indicated
that social media use was not predictive of impaired mental health functioning. However, vague booking
was predictive of suicidal ideation, suggesting this particular behavior could be a warning sign for serious
issues. Overall, results from this study suggest that, with the exception of vague booking, concerns
regarding social media use may be misplaced.

Article No 4:

Author: Sindhu Kiranmai Ernala

Self-disclosures of mental illnesses have been identified to yield coping and therapeutic benefits. An
important construct in the self-disclosure process is the audience with whom the individual interacts
and shares their experiences. Mental illness self-disclosures are increasingly happening online.
However, unlike online support communities where the audience comprises sympathetic peers with
similar experiences, what the discloser gains from an ‘invisible’ audience on a general purpose, public
social media platform is less understood. Focusing on a highly stigmatized mental illness,
schizophrenia, this paper provides the first investigation characterizing the audience of disclosures of
this condition on Twitter and how the audience’s engagement impacts future disclosures. Our results
are based on a rich year-long temporal analysis of the data of nearly 400 disclosers and their nearly
400 thousand audiences. First, characterizing and modeling the audience engagement temporally, we
find evidence of reciprocity in the disclosure process between the discloser and their audience. Then,
situating our work in the Social Penetration Theory and operationalizing the disclosure process via a
measure of intimacy, an auto-regressive time series model indicates that the patterns of audience
engagement and content can forecast changes in the intimacy of disclosures. We discuss the
implications for building socially engaging, supportive online spaces for stigmatized mental illness
disclosures.

Article No 5:

Author: Mesfin A. Bekalu

Most studies addressing social media use as a normal social behavior with positive or negative effects on
health-related outcomes have conceptualized and measured social media use and its effects in terms of
dose–effect relations. These studies focus on measuring frequency and duration of use, and have seldom
considered users’ emotional connections to social media use and the effects associated with such
connections. By using a scale with two dimensions capturing users’ integration of social media use into
their social routines and their emotional connection to the sites’ use, the present study has brought
preliminary evidence that may help map where social media use, as a normal social behavior, may be
considered beneficial or harmful. Data from a nationally representative sample (n = 1,027) of American
adults showed that while routine use is associated with positive health outcomes, emotional connection
to social media use is associated with negative health outcomes. These associations have been consistent
across three health-related outcomes: social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health. The
data also showed that the strength of the positive and negative associations of routine use and emotional
connection with the health outcomes varies across socioeconomic and racial/ethnic population
subgroups. Our findings suggest that the link between social media use and health may not only be
captured by and explained in terms of conventional dose–effect approaches but may also require a more
sophisticated conceptualization and measurement of the social media use behavior.
 3.1 Research Methodology:
The research methodology explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the
reliability and validity of your research. It should include: The type of research you did. How you collected
and/or selected your data.

Quantitative research method will be used for the data collection. The data will be collected through
online method from the both male and females of Pakistan. Data will be collected through the online
questionnaire.

In this present study, the researcher has utilized quantitative methodology.

3.2 TYPE OF STUDY

Researcher will apply quantitative method for conducting study.

Quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantifiable

data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques.

3.3 UNIVERSE OF STUDY

The universe consists of all surveys elements that qualify for inclusion in the research study. The precise
definition of the universe for the particular study is set by the research question, which specifies who or
what is interest. The universe may be individuals, groups of people, organizations.

The universe of the study includes the 120 people and it is collected through online questionnaire by
random people.

3.4 SAMPLE SIZE

The sample size is a term used in market research for defining the number of subjects included in a sample
size. By sample size, we understand a group of subjects that are selected from the general population and
is considered a representative of the real population for that specific study. The sample size is 120
respondents.

3.5 SAMPLING
The process of selecting observation is called sampling although sampling can mean any procedure for
selecting units of observation. Convenience sampling method is used.

3.6 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

Data is a collection of facts, figures, objects, symbols, and events gathered from different sources.
Organizations collect data to make better decisions.

Without data, it would be difficult for organizations to make appropriate decisions, and so data is collected
at various points in time from different audiences. For instance, before launching a new product, an
organization needs to collect data on product demand, customer preferences, competitors, etc.

Data will be collected through online survey method.

 3.7 TABULATION
Table are constructed after collection and simple frequency percentage tables are drawn.

3.8 CODING
Coding is a way of indexing or categorized the text in order to establish a framework of thematic ideas
about it. (Gibbs)

3.9 TECHNIQUE OF STATICAL ANALYSIS

For statistical analysis SPSS will be used. The data will be analyzed through it.