The Double-Edged Sword: Social Media and Its Effects
on Mental Health
Course Name: Research Techniques
Date: tbd-09-2024
Institution Name: Mahindra University – School of Management
Team Members:
Uzma Taskeen SM23UBBD213
Tisya Gupta SM23UBBD293
Vardhini Kalluri SM23UBBD215
Divya Reddy SM23UBBD195
Shlok Tumuluru SM23UBEF026
Problem Statement
Social media's widespread use in our lives has raised concerns about its impact on mental
health, while it has benefits, excessive use has been linked to increased anxiety and
depression in young people. Social media has a double-edged effect on mental well-being.
Negative effects:
-fosters unrealistic expectations and erodes self-esteem.
-facilitates online abuse, sleep deprivation, and social isolation.
-creates dependence on digital validation leading to vulnerabilities.
Positive effects:
-fosters a sense of community and social connection.
-provides a creative outlet for self-expression and empowerment
-offers access to mental health resources and support, helping to normalize mental health
discussions.
A 2016 national study of 40,337 U.S children (2 to 17 years old) found associations between
excessive screen time and lower psychological well-being. 1 The key findings are:
daily screen time <1 hour linked to:
-lower curiosity and self-control
-increased distractibility and difficulty making friends
-emotional instability and care difficulties
-inability to finish tasks
Research Objectives
This study aims to:
1. To identify and evaluate effective strategies for minimizing the impact of social media use
on mental health among young adults (ages 18-25) in urban areas.
2. To understand the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and social media
use among university students.
3. To examine the influence of social media on addictions, such as smoking, substance use,
and drinking.
4. To investigate the role of social media in increasing loneliness and anxiety.
Importance/Benefits of Study
Widespread Use of Social Media
Social media platforms are used by a large proportion of young people worldwide. As of
2023, 97% of teens use the internet daily and 45% are almost constantly online, primarily
due to the social media platforms. 2 This widespread usage makes it important to study how
this exposure impacts mental health.
reference: Pew Research Centre, Title: teens, social media and technology 2022, Date: Aug
10,2022, By Emily A Vogels, Risa Gelles Watnick and Navid Massarat
Promoting healthy habits
Understanding how social media usage correlates with mental health therapists, parents,
educators, and youth themselves can provide better guidance on healthy
social media habits.
Social Media Platform Modifications
As a result of this research, social media companies can design platforms and features that
promote positive mental health, such as time limits, content warnings, or better
privacy controls.
Influence on academic and professional life
Social media plays a critical role in shaping perceptions of success, influencing academic
achievements and professional ambitions. A study by Thakur and Jaiswal in the year 2018 3
reported that Indian youth who spend excessive time on social media often experience
academic burnout and decreased productivity, which correlates with heightened stress
levels and mental health concerns.
reference: International journal of Indian psychology, By thakur R. & Jaswal S. (2018), Title
Impact of social media on Mental Health of Indian Youth.
Research Design
What and how will we be performing the research?
We will study young adults aged 18-25 living in urban areas. The primary focus will be on
their social media usage habits, current mental health condition, and strategies they use to
manage their social media consumption.
Mixed-method approach: Both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Quantitative: 200 young adults, random sampling from urban areas using survey
questionnaires.
Qualitative: Subsample of 50 participants. To ensure diversity in age, gender, etc.
Random Sampling: Collect data from a large, diverse sample of 200 young adults at a single
point of time. (Cross-sectional)
We’ll be sending out an online survey assessing demographic information, current social
media use, its impact on mental health, and existing strategies for managing social media
usage. We will take consent from all participants and ensure anonymity and confidentiality
of data collected.
References
reference1 National Institute of Health
reference2 Pew Research Centre, Title: teens, social media and technology 2022, Date: Aug
10,2022, By Emily A Vogels, Risa Gelles Watnick and Navid Massarat
reference 3 International journal of Indian psychology, By thakur R. & Jaswal S. (2018), Title
Impact of social media on Mental Health of Indian Youth.
reference Title: Influence of social media on personality and mental health of university
students (2018), Researcher: Rajesh R, University: Annamalai University
