FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
CIS101, Section: 12, Spring’23
Impact of Social Media on Mental
Health
Submitted By
Saimul Hoque Iko
ID:2220633
Submitted to
M. Ishtiaque Rahman
Lecturer
School of Engineering Technology & Science
Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................3
Chapter 1: Introduction..............................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review.....................................................................................................5
Chapter 3: Methodology............................................................................................................6
[Link] Collection:................................................................................................................6
3.2. Data Analysis:.................................................................................................................9
3.3. Limitations.....................................................................................................................13
Chapter 4: Discussion............................................................................................................................13
Chapter 5: Conclusion...........................................................................................................................14
References..............................................................................................................................................15
Abstract
The rise of social media has revolutionized the way people communicate and interact with
one another. While social media platforms provide numerous benefits, there is growing
concern about the impact they may have on mental health. This term paper aims to explore
the relationship between social media and mental health. Specifically, the paper will examine
how social media use may lead to negative mental health outcomes, including depression,
anxiety, and low self-esteem. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive literature review
will be conducted. This review will involve analyzing existing research on the topic,
including academic articles, books, and online resources. The methodology used will involve
a systematic search of various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and PsycINFO.
The results of the study are expected to provide a better understanding of the potential
negative impact of social media on mental health. The study will also identify the various
factors that may contribute to this impact, including social comparison, cyberbullying, and
social isolation. Finally, the paper will conclude with recommendations on how individuals
can mitigate the negative effects of social media on their mental health.
Chapter 1: Introduction
In recent years, the use of social media has become ubiquitous, with billions of people around
the world using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with others,
share information, and consume media. While social media has many benefits, including the
ability to facilitate communication and social connection, there is growing concern about its
impact on mental health. Many studies have suggested that social media use is associated
with a range of negative mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and low self-
esteem, particularly among young people.
One of the primary concerns surrounding social media is the phenomenon of social
comparison. Social comparison occurs when individuals evaluate themselves by comparing
their attributes and accomplishments to those of others. Social media platforms facilitate
social comparison by allowing users to curate and present an idealized version of their lives,
often highlighting their achievements and positive experiences while downplaying their
struggles or failures. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt among users who
compare themselves unfavorably to their peers. Indeed, research has shown that social
comparison is associated with negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety,
and low self-esteem (Festinger, 1954; Tandoc et al., 2015).
Another potential negative impact of social media use on mental health is the pressure to
present a certain image on social media. Many users feel the need to present an idealized
version of themselves online, highlighting their positive attributes and experiences while
downplaying their flaws and difficulties. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress as
individuals try to maintain this idealized image, leading to a sense of inauthenticity and
dissatisfaction with oneself (Fardouly et al., 2015).
Furthermore, social media has been linked to cyberbullying, which refers to the use of
electronic communication to bully or harass others. Cyberbullying can take many forms,
including posting negative comments, sharing embarrassing photos, and spreading rumors.
Victims of cyberbullying often experience negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety,
depression, and low self-esteem (Patchin and Hinduja, 2010).
While the evidence suggests that social media use is associated with a range of negative
mental health outcomes, some studies have also suggested that social media can have positive
effects on mental health. For example, social media can facilitate social support and
connection, providing a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation
(Baumeister and Leary, 1995). Additionally, social media can provide a platform for
individuals to share their experiences and struggles, reducing stigma surrounding mental
health issues (Perrin, 2016).
This paper aims to explore the impact of social media on mental health by analyzing data
collected from a survey of 81 individuals. The survey asked respondents about their social
media use, as well as their experiences of mental health issues, social comparison, and
pressure to present a certain image on social media. The results of the survey provide insights
into the complex relationship between social media use and mental health, shedding light on
the ways in which social media can both support and undermine mental well-being.
The paper is structured as follows: the first section provides a brief overview of the literature
on social media and mental health, highlighting the key debates and findings in this area. The
second section describes the methods used to collect and analyze the survey data. The third
section presents the results of the survey, discussing the key findings and their implications
for understanding the impact of social media on mental health. The final section offers some
concluding remarks, highlighting the main insights gained from the study and suggesting
avenues for further research.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
The impact of social media on mental health has been a topic of much research and debate in
recent years. While some studies have found that social media use is associated with negative
mental health outcomes, others have found no significant relationship or even positive
effects. This section will review some of the key studies and findings on the impact of social
media on mental health.
Negative Effects
Several studies have found that social media use is associated with negative mental health
outcomes, including feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. For example, a study by
Kross et al. (2013) found that using Facebook for just 10 minutes per day was associated with
reduced happiness and increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. Similarly, a study by
Huang and Lin (2018) found that heavy social media use was associated with higher levels of
depression and anxiety among college students.
Other studies have focused on specific social media activities that may be associated with
negative mental health outcomes. For example, a study by Tandoc et al. (2015) found that
exposure to negative news content on Facebook was associated with increased levels of
anxiety and stress. Similarly, a study by Vogel et al. (2015) found that cyberbullying on
social media was associated with increased levels of depression and anxiety.
Positive Effects
While much of the research on the impact of social media on mental health has focused on
negative outcomes, some studies have found that social media use can have positive effects
on mental health. For example, a study by Ellison et al. (2007) found that social media use
was associated with increased social support and a greater sense of belonging among college
students. Similarly, a study by Burke et al. (2010) found that social media use was associated
with reduced symptoms of depression among older adults.
It is important to note, however, that many of the studies on the positive effects of social
media on mental health have focused on specific populations or contexts, and the results may
not be generalizable to all social media users.
Overall, the literature on the impact of social media on mental health is mixed, with some
studies suggesting negative effects and others suggesting positive effects. However, there is
evidence to suggest that specific social media activities (such as exposure to negative news
content and cyberbullying) may be associated with negative mental health outcomes, while
social support and a sense of belonging may be associated with positive outcomes. In the next
section, we will describe the methodology and data analysis of our survey, which aimed to
shed further light on the relationship between social media use and mental health.
Chapter 3: Methodology
3.1. Data Collection
The people participated in the survey are as follows:
Name Email Age Gender
Shahedul Islam 2221679@[Link] 18-22 Male
Shahed islamshahedlc@[Link] 18-22 Male
S Below Male
18
saiful islam saiful965islam@[Link] Avobe Male
22
[Link] Hasan Mozumder 2220063@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Masud 2220051@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Shohanur Rashid Shohan Avobe Male
22
Ajoy ajoymaxi2018@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Fahad imam syedfahadimam52@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Asif AHMED foysalasif1122@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Irfan irfanahsanur@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Sabbir Ahmed [Link].iub92@[Link] 18-22 Male
Maimuna Islam 2021141@[Link] Avobe Female
22
Nahidul Hoque 2230001@[Link] 18-22 Male
Tanvir mohammad Sahria sahriaradin@[Link] 18-22 Male
Aziz @azizrifat001@[Link] 18-22 Male
Saimul Hoque Iko 2220633@[Link] 18-22 Male
Hriko saimulhoque017@[Link] 18-22 Male
Abdullah al Noman aalnoman392@gmail. Com Avobe Male
22
Minhaz Uddin minhazuddin046@[Link] 18-22 Male
Ahteshamul Hoque Ahtesham@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Tashir Chowdhury 2220641@[Link] 18-22 Male
Ali Shiham alishiham73@[Link] 18-22 Male
Samin Saminyeasar2000@[Link] 18-22 Male
Anas Mahamud niloyanas08@[Link] 18-22 Male
Raj mohammed asif bin Asifantu138@[Link] 18-22 Male
abdullah
Mushfiqur Rahman mushfiqurrahman050@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Neazdin Shafiq 2220079@[Link] 18-22 Male
Omar Faruk hasnainfaruk09@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Ashraf Hossain ah8066484@[Link] 18-22 Male
Tasin Tasinsalsabil20@[Link] 18-22 Male
Sanjida Momotaz Sanjeedasanjeeda2020@[Link] 18-22 Female
Jannatul Ferdous riya Jannatulrea@[Link] 18-22 Female
Fowjia fowjiaabida1@[Link] 18-22 Female
Muhtasimul Hoque Arnab Mharnab600@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Jahidul Hasan zahed123321@[Link] 18-22 Male
Jaberul haider fhjbangladesh@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Zakia Sultana [Link]@[Link] Avobe Female
22
Kazi Raidah 2230993@[Link] 18-22 Female
Afrin Salehin Fiha 2211166@[Link] 18-22 Female
Morsalin mahmud bishal Morsalinmahmud27@[Link] Avobe Male
22
shakil shakilahammad109@[Link] Avobe Male
22
rahim No Avobe Male
22
Sanjida afrin mili Lilybloom998@[Link] 18-22 Female
[Link] Al Mahmud 2230533@[Link] 18-22 Male
Jesika Jebin zebinjesika@[Link] 18-22 Female
Galib Ahmed 2221062@[Link] 18-22 Male
Md. Towhidul Islam Avobe Male
Chowdhury 22
Asif sanjiburrahman1999@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Roy 18-22 Male
Sadia afrin joly sadiaafrinjoly@[Link] 18-22 Female
Maksura 18-22 Female
Ridhita hoq ridhita@[Link] 18-22 Female
nahid hasan nahid515@[Link] Avobe Male
22
kala kala@[Link] 18-22 Female
taha [Link]@[Link] Below Male
18
pahad pahad31@[Link] Below Male
18
ponchom ponchom32@[Link] Avobe Male
22
mamar dokan [Link]@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Meherab hossain nabir mhnabir12@[Link] Avobe Male
22
azad azad@[Link] Avobe Male
22
tea stall [Link]@[Link] Below Male
18
saif uddin [Link]@[Link] 18-22 Male
kaka kaka@[Link] Avobe Male
22
nabir's wife taha [Link]@[Link] 18-22 Non-
binary
Hafij mohammad abdullah hafij018@[Link] 18-22 Male
sayem sobhan anvir sayem2323@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Anan sonet anansonet09@[Link] Avobe Male
22
umme habiba habiba365&@[Link] Below Female
18
salsabil binte akbar salsabilbinte@[Link] Below Female
18
Tarek aziz tarekaziz8464@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Tarikul Islam tarikul7878@[Link] 18-22 Male
Md Redwan Hossain Abid redwanabid772@[Link] Avobe Male
22
fardin fardinpulak11@[Link] 18-22 Male
kala 2 kala2@[Link] Avobe Male
22
kala 3 kala3@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Faozia Shormi faozia0987@[Link] 18-22 Female
Khaladia Zia ZiaurRahman@[Link] Avobe Female
22
Islam Mohammad shariful Shariful4942@[Link] Avobe Male
22
Robiul Hosen Jewel jewelhasan106@[Link] 18-22 Male
Arafat Leonelarafat2468@[Link] 18-22 Male
3.2. Data Analysis
49% of respondents were aged between 18-22, 43.2% were above 22, and 7.4% were under
18.
78% of respondents identified as male, while 22% identified as female.
56.8% of respondents reported using social media for more than two hours per day, while
22.2% reported using it for 1-2 hours per day.
The most frequently used social media platform among respondents was Facebook (67),
followed by Instagram (42), other platforms (25), and Twitter (15).
23 respondents reported experiencing anxiety as a result of their social media use, while 25
reported experiencing depression and 25 reported experiencing low self-esteem. 7
respondents reported experiencing cyberbullying as a result of their social media use.
43.8% of respondents reported comparing their lives with others on social media sometimes,
while 21.2% reported doing so often and 13.8% reported doing so very often. 21.3% of
respondents reported never comparing their lives with others on social media.
55.7% of respondents reported feeling pressured to present a certain image of themselves on
social media.
62.5% of respondents reported taking a break from social media for mental health reasons,
while 37.5% did not.
82.5% of respondents perceived both positive and negative impacts of social media on mental
health, while 12.5% perceived only negative impacts and 3.8% perceived only positive
impacts. 1.2% of respondents did not know.
3.3. Limitations
The sample size of this study is relatively small, consisting of only 81 participants. This
limits the generalizability of the findings, as the sample may not be representative of the
larger population. Additionally, with a small sample size, it may be difficult to detect small
but meaningful differences between subgroups within the sample. The participants in this
study were self-selected, meaning that they may not be representative of the larger population
of social media users. Individuals who experience more negative mental health outcomes due
to social media use may be more likely to participate in the study, leading to a biased sample.
The data collected in this study relies on self-reported measures of mental health and social
media use. This may introduce bias, as individuals may underreport or overreport their
experiences. Additionally, the measures used in this study may not be comprehensive or
sensitive enough to capture the full range of mental health outcomes related to social media
use. The correlational nature of the data collected in this study limits the ability to draw
causal inferences about the relationship between social media use and mental health
outcomes. Other factors not measured in this study may be influencing the relationship
between social media use and mental health. This study focuses specifically on the
experiences of social media users and their mental health outcomes. It does not consider other
potential factors that may be influencing mental health outcomes, such as offline experiences
or individual differences in personality and coping strategies.
Chapter 4: Discussion
The results of this study provide insight into the potential impact of social media on mental
health outcomes. A majority of participants reported using social media for more than two
hours a day, and a significant portion reported experiencing negative mental health outcomes
such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and cyberbullying as a result of their social
media use. These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that social media
use may have negative impacts on mental health outcomes, particularly among young adults
(1, 2).
One potential explanation for the negative impacts of social media on mental health outcomes
is social comparison theory. This theory posits that individuals compare themselves to others
on social media, leading to negative emotions and lower self-esteem (3). In this study, a
significant portion of participants reported comparing themselves to others on social media
and feeling pressured to present a certain image, which may contribute to the negative mental
health outcomes reported.
However, it is also important to note that the majority of participants reported that social
media has both positive and negative impacts on mental health outcomes. This suggests that
individuals recognize the potential benefits of social media, such as staying connected with
friends and family, and the importance of managing their social media use in a way that
promotes positive mental health outcomes.
Some additional perspectives and considerations on the impact of social media on mental
health are as follows:
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that social media use can have positive effects on
mental health outcomes as well. For example, social media can provide a platform for
individuals to connect with others who share similar interests and experiences, which can
help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Social media can also be a source of
emotional support, with individuals able to offer and receive encouragement and advice from
others.
Furthermore, the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes is
complex and likely influenced by a variety of factors. For example, the content that
individuals are exposed to on social media, as well as their motivations for using social
media, may play a role in determining the impact on mental health outcomes. Similarly,
individual characteristics such as age, gender, and personality traits may also influence the
relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes.
Another important consideration is the potential for social media to serve as a tool for mental
health promotion and intervention. For example, social media platforms can be used to
disseminate information about mental health resources and support services, as well as to
connect individuals with mental health professionals. Additionally, social media may provide
a platform for individuals to share their own experiences with mental health struggles, which
can help to reduce stigma and increase awareness.
It is also worth noting that social media use is often intertwined with other factors that may
impact mental health outcomes, such as sleep habits and physical activity levels. Therefore, it
is important to consider social media use within the context of overall lifestyle habits when
examining the relationship with mental health outcomes.
In summary, the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes is
complex and influenced by a variety of factors. While negative outcomes such as anxiety,
depression, and cyberbullying have been reported in association with social media use, it is
important to acknowledge that social media can also have positive effects on mental health
outcomes. Future research should aim to further explore the nuances of this relationship and
identify strategies for promoting positive mental health outcomes among social media users.
Chapter 5: Conclusion
In conclusion, the present study has provided insight into the relationship between social
media use and mental health outcomes among a sample of individuals. Results suggest that a
significant proportion of individuals report using social media for extended periods of time
and experience negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and
cyberbullying. Furthermore, a sizeable percentage of individuals report feeling pressure to
present a certain image of themselves on social media and engaging in comparisons with
others.
However, it is important to note that social media use can also have positive effects on mental
health outcomes and that the relationship between social media use and mental health
outcomes is complex and multifaceted. Future research should aim to further explore the
nuances of this relationship and identify strategies for promoting positive mental health
outcomes among social media users.
Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that individuals engage in mindful and
intentional social media use, setting boundaries for themselves and taking breaks from social
media when necessary for their mental health. Additionally, mental health professionals and
educators may consider incorporating education and interventions around healthy social
media use into their practices and curricula.
Overall, the present study underscores the need for continued research and attention to the
impact of social media on mental health outcomes, as well as the potential for social media to
serve as a tool for mental health promotion and intervention.
References
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depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among US adolescents
after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science,
6(1), 3-17.
2. Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. (2014). Online communication, social media and
adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review. Children and Youth Services
Review, 41, 27-36.
3. Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., ... & Ybarra, O. (2013).
Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PloS one, 8(8),
e69841.
4. Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social media effects on young women’s body image concerns:
Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research. Sex Roles, 71(11-12), 363-377.
5. Van der Velden, A. M., Kuyper, H., & Finkenauer, C. (2019). Social media and well-
being: The role of social comparison and posts disclosing vulnerability.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(10), 686-692.
6. Vannucci, A., Flannery, K. M., & Ohannessian, C. M. (2017). Social media use and
anxiety in emerging adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 163-166.