SOCIAL MEDIA, MENTAL HEALTH, AND YOUTH IDENTITY: A HEALTH AND SOCIETY PERSPECTIVE
Keywords:
Social media, mental health, youth identity, health and society, digital behavior, interdisciplinary research.Abstract
The rapid expansion of social media platforms has significantly transformed the social experiences, identity formation, and mental health of young people. While social media offers opportunities for connection, self-expression, and information sharing, it has also been linked to rising concerns related to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and identity confusion among youth. This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating perspectives from social sciences, health studies, and technology research to examine the complex relationship between social media usage, mental well-being, and youth identity development. Using survey-based data collected from university students and young adults, the study analyzes patterns of social media engagement and their perceived psychological and social impacts. The findings indicate a dual effect of social media, acting as both a supportive and a risk-enhancing environment for youth mental health. The study concludes with recommendations for educators, policymakers, and health professionals to promote healthier digital engagement among young populations.
References
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
