SOCIAL MENTAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG

ADOLESCENTS

Under the Faculty of

MASTER OF COMMERCE PART 1

(ADVANCED ACCOUNTANCY)

Submitted By

Mr. VARUN PRADEEP KURUP

1028

Under the Guidance of

Ms. NEHA CHITLANGIYA

PRAHLADRAI DALMIA LIONS COLLEGE OF

COMMERCE & ECONOMICS

SUNDAR NAGAR, S.V. ROAD, MALAD (WEST) MUMBAI

400 064

NOVEMBER, 2024
 Abstract

Social media has transformed the way people interact, share, and obtain
information. However, its increasing influence has raised concerns about
its effects on mental health. This abstract examines the intricate
relationship between social media usage and mental well-being,
highlighting both its potential advantages and negative consequences.
On one hand, social media platforms offer opportunities for social
connection, peer support, and access to mental health resources. They
enable users to express themselves, cultivate relationships, and alleviate
feelings of isolation. For marginalized groups, social media can act as a
platform for empowerment and affirmation of identity. Conversely,
excessive social media use has been associated with various negative
mental health outcomes. Research shows that heavy use, especially
among adolescents and young adults, is linked to increased feelings of
anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Factors like cyberbullying, social
comparison, and the pressure to project a curated, idealized image also
contribute to these issues.
These abstract highlights the necessity of a balanced perspective on the
role of social media in mental health. Although it provides significant
advantages, the potential risks should not be overlooked.

Keywords: Social media, Mental Health, Adolescents

Introduction and background:

Human beings are inherently social and thrive on the companionship of
others to progress in life. Therefore, maintaining social connections can
alleviate stress, anxiety, and feelings of sadness, while a lack of these
connections can significantly jeopardize mental health.

Social Media:

Social media has recently integrated into daily life, with many
individuals spending hours each day on platforms like Messenger,
Instagram, Facebook, and others. As a result, numerous researchers and
scholars are examining the effects of social media and related
applications on various facets of people's lives. In 2019, there were
approximately 3.484 billion social media users globally, reflecting a 9%
increase from the previous year. A statistic highlighting the gender
distribution of social media audiences worldwide as of January 2020
reveals notable variations by platform. It was discovered that only 38%
of Twitter users identified as male, whereas 61% were Snapchat users.
In comparison, females showed a greater tendency to utilize LinkedIn
and Facebook. There is no doubt that social media has become a
significant aspect of many people's lives. While social media offers
numerous positive and enjoyable benefits, it can also contribute to
mental health issues

Mental Health:
Mental health refers to a condition of mental wellness that allows
individuals to manage life's stresses, recognize their potential, learn
effectively, perform well in their tasks, and engage with their
community. It is a vital element of overall health and well-being,
forming the foundation for our personal and collective capacity to make
choices, develop relationships, and influence the world around us.

Impact on social media & Mental Health among young people:

Higher media use is associated with poorer health, and higher media use
is associated with an increased risk of internalizing and externalizing dif
ficulties for youth, particularly women. Social media use is also linked t
o physical and eating disorders, particularly among young women, and s
ocial media may increase the risk of alcohol consumption and its effects
on adolescents and young adults. It is associated with negative outcomes
, including increased risk of depression and anxiety. Social media use is
also associated with more depressive symptoms and greater comfort see
king, as well as greater liking and perceived social support, and concern
s about appearance and body image in relationships, particularly among
young women. Digital and social media use has positive and negative ef
fects on children and adolescents’ health, including screen time/internet
time and other activities, setting limits on access to content, and promoti
ng open family communication and media use rights alike.
Some teens report benefits from using social media, such as a greater se
nse of connection. But there can also be risks, such as negative psycholo
gical effects. Use at least one social media platform. More than a third sa
id they use social media almost all the time.
 71% say it gives them a space to express their creativity
 67% say it makes them feel like they have someone to support the
m through difficult times
 8 in 10 says that asking for a relationship makes them connected,
connected to what is going on a friend’s life.

Hypothesis on social media and Mental health among Adolescents:

 H0: Social media has a positive impact on the mental health of
adolescents.
 H1: Social media has a negative impact on mental health of
adolescents.

There are pros and cons to social media and mental health.
Virtual interaction on social media may not provide the same
psychological benefits as face-to-face contact, they still offer valuable
ways in which to stay connected and support your wellbeing.
You can use social media to: Stay up to date with your family and
friends around the world. Network with other people who share the
same interests or ambitions. During tough times, offer emotional
support. If you live in a remote area, have limited independence, or are
part of a marginalized group, find vital social and professional
connections. You can find an outlet for your creativity.

Social media may promote negative experiences such as:

Thinking about your life or appearance: Even though you know the ima
ges you see on social media are being controlled, they can also make yo
u feel bad about your appearance or insecure about your appearance. Alt
hough FOMO has been around longer than social media, sites like Faceb
ook and Instagram seem to fuel the feeling that others are having more f
un than you or living a better life. Feeling like you’re missing out can af
fect your self-esteem, lead to depression and lead to addiction-like relati
onships. People need face-to-face contact to manage their mental illness.
Nothing reduces stress and improves your mood faster or more effective
ly than being in touch with someone who cares about you. The more you
prioritize interpersonal relationships, the more stress you will create or s
ustain, such as anxiety and depression.Social media platforms like Twitt
er can become a hotbed for malicious rumors, lies, and insults that can le
ad to long-term stress.

Data Analysis: With social media playing a major role in daily life,
concerns about its impact on mental health are increasing. To explore
this, a survey was conducted to examine the link between social media
usage and mental well-bring. 100 participants shared their habits,
content preferences, and emotional reactions related to social media.
This analysis aims to identify key patterns and correlations, offering
insights into how social media affects mental health. The findings could
inform better practices and policies for healthier social media use.

Out of 100 respondents:

 44 % respondents have checked social media “Frequently (5-10
times)”
 30 % respondents have checked “Constantly (more than 10 time)”
 20 % respondents have checked “Occasionally (2-4 times)”
Out of 100 respondents:
 44 % respondents “Often” compare themselves on social media.
 20 % respondents “Sometimes” compare themselves on social
media.
 21 % respondents “Never” compare themselves on social media.
 15 % respondents “Always” compare themselves on social media.

Out of 100 respondents:

 43% respondents have “Occasionally” felt left out.
 26 % respondents have “Rarely” felt left out.
 17 % respondents have “Frequently” felt left out.
 14 % respondents have “Never” felt left out.
 Out of 100 respondents:
 44 % respondents have felt “no impact on their mood”.
 24 % respondents have “improved their mood”
 20 % respondents “fluctuates depending upon the content”
 12 % respondents have reported that it “worsens their mood”

Out of 100 respondents:

 54 % respondents have “somewhat” improved their mental health.
 25 % respondents have “significantly” improved their mental
health.
 14 % respondents “didn’t think it would help” their mental health.

Conclusion:
The connection between social media and mental health is complex,
offering both advantages and difficulties for individuals and society
alike. On one side, social media has transformed communication,
creating avenues for self-expression, community engagement, and
access to mental health information. Moreover, mental health initiatives
on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) have
significantly contributed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and
enhancing mental health literacy.
Conversely, the detrimental effects of social media on mental health are
becoming more apparent, especially among younger individuals. The
relentless exposure to curated and idealized portrayals of others’ lives
can lead to damaging social comparisons, resulting in feelings of
inadequacy, anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem.
Although social media is not inherently negative, its adverse effects on
mental health warrant serious consideration. The potential advantages of
connection, support, and awareness can often be eclipsed by challenges
such as social comparison, cyberbullying, and addiction.

Suggestion:

To cultivate a healthier relationship between social media and mental

health, a comprehensive strategy that involves both users and platform
developers is essential. Here are some practical recommendations:

 Promote Mindful Usage: Users of social media should be

encouraged to cultivate mindful habits, which means being aware
of the time they spend on these platforms and the nature of their
interactions. Establishing daily screen time limits and reflecting
on emotional responses during usage can help pinpoint any
adverse effects. Engaging in mindful scrolling—taking time to
assess the value of the content being consumed—can also
diminish mindless usage that often contributes to anxiety or stress.
 Take Regular Breaks: Taking breaks from social media—
whether for a few hours each day or through longer digital detoxes
—can help users reset their mental state and avoid feelings of
overwhelm or fatigue from constant online interaction. Social
media breaks provide time for users to reconnect with their offline
environment, fostering real-life connections and reducing the
potential for feelings of isolation.
 Education about the effects of social media: It is important to
raise awareness about the psychological risks associated with
social media, such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.
Educational programs or initiatives run by schools, health
professionals and social media platforms can help users,
especially young people, develop healthy habits, stay safe online
and understand that using social media can affect their health
 Developing digital health systems: Governments, organizations,
and healthcare professionals can work with social media platforms
 to create and support digital health initiatives. These services can f
ocus on helping users balance their online and offline lives, sharin
g strategies to reduce reliance on social media, and providing supp
ort to people who feel their brains are being overwhelmed by onli
ne activities.
References:

1. https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/social-
media-and-mentalhealth
2. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/social-media-teen-mental-
health-a-parents-guide