How using social media affects mental health?

Ištrauka

How using social media affects mental health?
Introduction and research questions
The aim of this study is to find out on how using social media affects mental health, whether
it’s a positive or negative influence. There are numerous variables that could be compared to
examine the effects of social media on mental health. The summary of this study will help to
understand what the impact of social medias on mental health is. The results of the study will help
to understand the correlation of social media, its usage, and the outcomes to an individuals’ mental health.
Background reading
It is believed that interactions with various social media platforms interfere with our
psychological well-being. Numerous interactions with social media is associated with big
psychological distress, since it reduces the levels of persons’ self-esteem and increases the
percentage of the communication rate we receive. The more interaction an individual has with
social media, the more psychologically distressed the individual is. A study by Hawi and Samaha
(published in 2019) showed that individuals who are dealing with an addictive behaviuor to social
media experience significant signs of emotional distress and lower levels of emotional stability.
A study by Morten Tromholt (published in 2016) showed the results of mental stability being
linked to the addiction to social media. He pointed out that the less emotionally stable an individual
is, the more significant the addition to social media is and will be. A great overuse of social media,
according to Tromholt, can cause depressive symptoms, self-esteem issues, anxiety and physical, as
well as a psychological dissatisfaction because an individual would constantly compare themselves
to the people they see.
Methodology
In order to obtain qualitative results for the research, I will conduct a short 3 question online
survey in order to find out: what social media the respondents use, how many hours per day they
spend on social media, and, finally, what is the number of physical friends they currently have. The
research will help to approve or deny two of the hypothesis: