CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background To The Study

Social media, which is also referred to as social networking, has become the most

widely used method of communication and interaction among individuals of all ages

across the globe as a result of ongoing technological progress. A variety of

technological platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tumblr,

and others, facilitate communication and the exchange of content via social media

(SM) (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). According to research on the increasing prevalence

of social media usage, almost one-tenth of Americans are active users of social media

platforms. Specifically, 68% of the population utilises Facebook, 21% utilises Twitter,

25% utilises Pinterest, and 26% utilises Instagram (Greenwood et al., 2018).

According to statistical data, the quantity of time individuals dedicate to social media

platforms is considerably elevated. Social media interaction consumes 28% of the

average time spent on the internet (Huang, 2018).

Recent studies have found that frequent social network users believe that other users

are happier and more successful than they are, especially when they do not know

them very well in real life. Social media facilitates an environment in which people

are comparing their realistic offline selves to the flawless, filtered, and edited online

versions of others, which can be detrimental to mental well-being and perception of

self. Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general

dissatisfaction with life in users but also increase the risk of developing mental health

issues such as anxiety and depression. Constantly comparing oneself to others can
lead to feelings of self-consciousness or a need for perfectionism and order, which

often manifests as social anxiety disorder.

The use of social media is accompanied by a number of advantages. The benefits

encompass a range of initiatives, such as fostering mental health awareness and

destigmatization, providing supplementary access to resources, and facilitating a

platform for users to connect with one another about their mental health symptoms

(Lattie et al., 2019). Furthermore, social media has the potential to function as a

constructive platform for mitigating the obstacles that people from various contexts

may encounter when coping with a mental health diagnosis (Andrews et al., 2018).

On the contrary, numerous studies in the literature establish a correlation between the

utilization of social media and a range of psychiatric disorders—such as anxiety,

depression, and diminished self-esteem (Lin et al., 2016; Pantic, 2014). Social media

users may be subjected to harassment, humiliation, and adverse reactions in response

to their content. Furthermore, the comparison of one's life satisfaction and self-image

to that of other users may cause distress for these individuals (Belluomini, 2015).

Moreover, negative social media behaviors , such as browsing through negative

content, can lead to mood swings, depression, and social isolation (Belluomini, 2015).

Given the exponential growth of social media usage in the past decade, it is critical to

evaluate the potential psychological repercussions of social media. Concerning the

mental health repercussions of social media, mental health professionals have thus far

taken minimal action. Furthermore, the knowledge and readiness of mental health

clinicians to address the detrimental effects of excessive social media usage on their

clients' mental well-being have been the subject of scant investigation.

The substantial increase in mental health symptoms caused by social media's

influence on mental health complicates the provision of social services at the micro
level. As an increasing number of social media users present with symptoms such as

anxiety, melancholy, and low self-esteem, there is a corresponding demand for more

service providers. Providers of mental health services must be cognizant of the

influence of social media on mental health in order to assist those impacted by this

matter more effectively. Additional training is also required to address the assessment

of social media use and its potential mental health consequences. A greater

comprehension of the consequences of social media usage will result in treatment for

clients that is more efficient and effective.(Panttic, 2014; Lin et al., 2016).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Although the increase in social media usage is indisputable, the effects of frequent use

are the subject of numerous contradictory opinions. From an optimistic standpoint,

Levy (2015) asserts that social media participation aids in the development of critical

knowledge and social skills in adolescents and motivates them to become engaged

members of society who generate and distribute content. This is corroborated by the

claim that social validation, such as that which social media platforms offer, is a vital

element in the life of an individual (Miller, 2018). Sutton (2013) posits that

individuals who engage in regular updates to their social media profiles purportedly

observe a rise in self-awareness and self-esteem.

Nevertheless, there is growing support for the notion that excessive utilization of

these platforms could be detrimental to one's mental health due to the fact that an

intense immersion in the digital world can induce depression in certain users

(Nyasaland, Grande, Brennner, & Elwy, 2014). This underscores the necessity for a

more comprehensive comprehension of the ways in which this ubiquitous social

media usage impacts the mental health and overall well-being of individuals.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

mental health in Nigeria, using youths in Nguru town Yobe state as a case study. The

study specifically attempted to:

I．Determine the extent of social media addiction among youths in nguru town

II．Determine whether there is a significant relationship between social media

addiction and the mental health of youths in Nguru town

III．To identify factors contributing to social media addiction among youths.

IV．To assess the mental health status of youths who are addicted to social

media.

V．To explore potential interventions to mitigate the negative impact of social

media addiction on mental health among youths in Nguru town

VI．To examine the prevalence of social media addiction among youths in Nguru

town.

1.4 Research Questions:

The study will be guided by the following research questions;

I．What is the extent of social media addiction among youths in Nguru town ?

II．is there a significant relationship between social media addiction and the

mental health among youths?

III．What is the influence of social media experience on the mental health among

youths in Nguru town ?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

I．There is no significant relationship between social media addiction and the

mental health of youths.

II． There is a significant relationship between social media addiction and the

mental health of youths.

The significance of the proposed study stems from the paucity of research on the

responses of mental health professionals to the Influence of increased social media

use on mental health. As a result of the observation of a technological society, the

mental health effects of excessive social media use on clients have come into

question. In light of the ongoing transition towards a digital society, mental health

professionals must be equipped to assess clients for potential adverse consequences

associated with excessive use of social media. The implications of the study's results

for the social services sector will be evident as they pinpoint deficiencies in treatment

planning, assessment, and service delivery concerning the influence of social media

on mental well-being. A clinician's approach to assessing the client's concerns and

devising a treatment plan to address treatment objectives may be revised in light of

the findings. While the primary focus of this research is the micro-level (specifically,

the interaction between clinicians and clients), the results could potentially have a

broader impact on social service provision by prompting the revision of policies and

accessibility measures concerning social media platforms.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

The scope of this study boarders on social media addiction and it’s influence on

mental health in Nguru town.

1.8 Limitation Of The Study

Like in every human endeavor , the researchers encountered slight constraints while

carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the

researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the

process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the

researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will
simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the

amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Influence : The power to change or affect someone or something.

Social media addiction: is an addiction in which a person engages in the compulsive

and excessive use of social media.

Mental health: a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional

well-being.