Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C (2024)

The study explores the relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health, focusing on the negative effects of excessive social media engagement among adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. Conducted over three months with 80 participants, the research utilized the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale to measure depression and social media addiction, respectively. Results indicate that 28 of the adolescents were addicted to social media, with significant correlations found between addiction and increased rates of depression, anxiety, and physical health issues such as neck strain and eye ache. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of social media on adolescent well-being and promote healthier digital habits.