University students are experiencing a decline in their mental well-being due to excessive use of social media platforms.
Excessive social media usage among university students has been associated with a decline in their mental well-being. Research indicates a range of issues, from depression and low self-esteem to nomophobia (fear of being without a smartphone). While not all effects of social media are negative, it is essential to support those at risk of addiction.
A survey involving 622 university students from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia revealed that those who excessively used smartphones and social media were more likely to experience mental health challenges. This included greater levels of nomophobia and weight-related self-stigma, characterized by low self-esteem and negative emotions.
Another study with 380 Malaysian university students found that high social media use was linked to increased depression, anxiety, and stress. On average, participants in both studies spent around 4.5 to 4.8 hours a day on social media, with a significant percentage at risk of addiction.
Young adults and youth are particularly vulnerable to social media’s impact due to their heavy usage. While social media offers various benefits, excessive use can lead to negative mental health outcomes. Excessive use is characterized by an inability to control social media cravings, leading to difficulties in other areas of life.
The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, a self-report scale with a score of 24 or above-indicating addiction, is used to measure excessive social media use. Promoting healthy social media usage and providing transparent information on its link to mental health is crucial. Government programs, lifestyle redesign, camps, stress-coping workshops, time management strategies, and cognitive-behavioral interventions can help individuals manage their social media use effectively.
In conclusion, the excessive use of social media has been shown to have adverse effects on the mental health of university students and young adults. While social media can offer benefits such as increased social connections and reduced loneliness, its overuse can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
It is crucial to promote healthy and purposeful social media usage and raise awareness of the potential risks associated with excessive use. Tools like the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale can help individuals assess their social media habits and identify potential addiction.
Governments and communities should consider implementing programs and interventions that support individuals in managing their social media use effectively. These initiatives may include lifestyle redesign programs, workshops on stress coping and time management, and cognitive-behavioral interventions to address unhealthy social media cravings.
By fostering a balanced approach to social media use and providing resources for those at risk of addiction, we can help mitigate the negative mental health outcomes associated with excessive social media usage among young adults and university students.