Social Media Use and Mental Health Among College Students
Keywords:
Social media, Mental health, College students, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Digital well-being, Social comparison, FOMO.Abstract
Social media have stirred up the ways young people communicate, learn and interact with their peers in college. These platforms offer opportunities for networking, information and entertainment, but can lead to poor mental health if they are used too much or if there are issues. This study investigates the correlation between use of social media and mental health among college students with the emotional/psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, and self-esteem. A descriptive and analytical design based on secondary data was adopted, synthesising peer-reviewed studies, official reports, and institutional publications on social media use and mental health outcomes. The reviewed evidence indicates that excessive social media time is strongly correlated with increased anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms, whereas moderate use could be related to social connection and emotional support. Cyberbullying, fear of missing out (FOMO), social comparison and insufficient sleep emerged as important factors influencing poor psychological health. The study points to the need for awareness among college students about responsible use of social media, digital literacy and mental health awareness.
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