Name: Saara foster

Extended Project Qualification

To what extent does prolong social media usage affect the mental
health in children and adolescents?

Contents page………………………………………………………………………...………....
……..…..…....1

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………......2-3

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………
………......4-5

Chapter 1:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………........6
-11
 Dependency of mobile usage ‘social media an everyday
reality’……………..…pages 6-9
 Introduction to the link of mental health and social media
……………………..pages 10-11
Chapter 2:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………......11
-12
 Children’s and adolescence cognitive development
Chapter 3: ………………………………………………………………………………………….
……….....13-16
 The disorder of moods and social media …………………………………..
…………..pages 13-15
 Social media eating disorders and use body
image …………………………………pages 15-16
Chapter 4:
……………………………………………………………………………………....................16
-17
 Social media quantitative approaches

1
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………
……….......17-18

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………
……..........19-28

 To what extent does prolong social media usage affect the mental

health in children and adolescents?

Abstract:

In society today, social media has transformed into a powerful force that moulds

individuals’ lives, shaping the way they think and perceive the world around

them. Platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram offer a sense of identity

and social awareness, becoming focal points for an increase in depression and

dissatisfaction amongst children and adolescents, diminishing one’s self-esteem.

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the impacts of social media regarding

mental health and whether it’s a contributing factor to the breakdown of one’s

self-esteem and overall well-being.

This rationale stems from the ongoing technological advancements and the

increase in the demand and dependence for it, particularly through the

development of social media and the open age exposure to these modern

advancements. As this issue is becoming more researched and found to be

2
possibly detrimental, it is necessary to evaluate the extent of these impacts and

highlight specific influences obtained by children and adolescents.

This dissertation aims to secure a detailed understanding of social media through

analysing its disadvantages and risks by thoroughly evaluating and identifying

trends. By highlighting the complex relations between social media, mental

health, and well-being upon looking at the rising incidents regarding anxiety,

diminished self-esteem, and depression among young individuals. The aim of this

project is thus to bring awareness to the various dangers social media holds in

terms of mental health.

Moreover, this dissertation intends the address any possible challenges and

implications that may outweigh the positives, hoping the results aim to inform

and educate users on how to utilize social media without abusing it. Thereby

concluding with a critical summary demonstrating how prolong social media

usage affects the mental health in children and adolescents.

Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to a range of different insights on the

dynamics between both mental-wellbeing and social media. Suggesting that due

to excessive and prolonged usage it has impacted the mental health in children

and adolescents. Fostering a continuous evolving field of bettering young users

experience whilst using this tool to cultivate a more supportive and encouraging

online environment for them.

3
Introduction:

Mental health, as defined by World Health Organization (2022), is “a state of

mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life...that has

an intrinsic and instrumental value that is integral to our well-being.”

The period between children and adolescents is a crucial time for the

development of positive self-esteem and good mental health practices as it

fundamentally, paves the ways for their emotional and psychological

development and well-being.

While Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok mark the beginning of social media, they

have considerably influenced the way children and adolescents express

themselves and connect with the world around them.

Although social media does offer social awareness and a sense of identity,

symptoms such as depression, dissatisfaction and diminishing young minds’ self-

4
esteem, have displayed that the social medias key elements are provoking

concerns about mental health over their potential harmful effects.

By Introducing a new perspective, the rise of social media has overcome all

geological and age boundaries, allowing users to have a more versatile exposure

in their age and unveiled exposure. However, several psychological challenges

have been linked to prolonged usage, such as sleep disturbances, anxiety,

depression and a variety of body dissatisfactions mainly amongst children and

adolescents. It has been highlighted that behaviours such as cyberbullying and

addictive behaviours are amplified, in line with Weir (2023b) Which states, “that

vulnerable influences social media hold is from having not fully developed their

cognitive skills” causing them to behave as such.

Credible organizations, such as the American Psychological Association (APA),

define the importance of understanding the dual nature of digital media

regarding mental health and the possible impacts it holds. According to Weir

(2023), “on one hand, social media platforms offer space for a shared

experience, peer support and a chance to showcase your creativity as a person;

while they also pose a risk of overuse and overexposure to harmful content.”

This duality makes it essential to analyse the extent to which prolonged social

media usage affects the mental health in children and adolescents “as it is

woven into their everyday lives.”

Understanding the relationship between prolonged usage and mental health is

vital when addressing the concerns that lead to mental health in children and

adolescents. By focusing on the risks associated with prolonged usage, this study

aims to explore the extent to which social media contributes towards mental

5
health in children and adolescents

In conclusion, due to the rising use of social media amongst children and

adolescents, it has initiated various important discussions about social media’s

impact on mental health. As society becomes a more incorporated into our

everyday lives, it then becomes necessary to address not only the implications

that social media hold but the traditional approaches to limit this addiction. This

dissertation will carefully evaluate, the affect social media has on mental health

and the various ways of protecting users from it allowing them to use platforms

without getting affected by their negative outcomes.

Main body

Chapter 1.1 - Dependency of mobile usage ‘social media an everyday reality’

In today’s world, mobile devices have become an essential aspect of daily life,

acting as a revolutionary doorway to an online world of communication,

entertainment and self-expression. Over time, social media has become an

essential element of online culture, accompanied by the rise of many different

benefits and complications. “Social media as an everyday reality” encapsulates

the significant shift in human behaviour and societal norms. According to a

report by Oberlo (2020), “over 3.94 billion people worldwide owned a

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smartphone in 2023,” highlighting the widespread use and dependency of digital

media. Within these functions, social media platforms such as Snapchat,

Instagram, TikTok and Facebook control users' time and attention.

For many platforms, social media has substituted all traditional methods of

interaction; proposing a digital environment where relationships are formed,

fostered and nullified. Prior to social media, life enriched people with various

aspects of communication and interactions and studies have noticed an

inclination in mental health counts as social media became more prevalent.

Analysis’s such as Naslund et al. (2020) has proven that “social media

engagement and mobile phone usage have become promptly intertwined,

leading to a multitude of mental health symptoms and poor well-being among

youthful users, establishing a dependency implicating all aspects of life.”

Shaping the nature of social interactions has been transformed completely, due

to the users prolonged usage and mobile dependency. For example, face-to-face

communication has in numerous circumstances been substituted through digital

changes. While social media has granted people the ability to protect

relationships across a large distance, it has also further weakened intimate

relationships in the user’s life beyond social media. The case of “phubbing,” -

overlooking someone in approval of a mobile phone - is a physical example of

how the consistent reliance on a mobile device erodes everyday interactions.

Research has also revealed that according to Al‐Saggaf and O’Donnell (2019c),

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“phubbing is associated with feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety; as it

eliminates any face-to-face interactions it causes those symptoms.” As it

destroys any trust and human feelings of appreciation and recognition. Research

has also indicated that “those who are exposed to partner phubbing, are

reported to have lower relationship satisfaction and enhanced feelings of

loneliness.” LaKeisha Fleming (2024)

Furthermore, the more performative element on social media – where users

idealize certain portrayals of themselves, may result in insubstantial

relationships. (Ballara, 2023), has further analysed this, as “through the

importance of likes, comments and shares acting as a measure for social

validation amplifying the stress of further authentic face-to-face relationships,

individuals are in a constant state of aiming to seek approval and

acknowledgement from others.” Leaving users in a constant state of approval

and acknowledgement, which can lead to insecurities and can spark symptoms

such as validation-seeking behaviour.

Prolonged social media usage has also transformed how society absorbs and

shares information. The equalisation of social media content creation means that

all users have the ability to become influencers and further craft and present

their own content online, making it easier for different opinions to be heard.

However, this challenge comes with many issues. While the idea seems nice, it is

an easy way to distribute misleading or false information quickly. Making it

harder for users to differentiate between what’s real and what’s fake, as

platforms such as Twitter and Facebook permit information to be shared without

8
being fact-checked which can lead to a spread of fake news. Traditionally news

outlets such as TV stations and newspapers were responsible for collecting

information on current world affairs, however now with many people sharing

news on multiple platforms, it creates a more challenging environment for

maintaining all the viable information.

This feeds directly from the phenomenon of ‘doomscrolling’, where people are in

constant encounters with an overwhelming amount of distorted and false

content.

The habit of “doomscrolling,” a term devised to illustrate an uncontrolled

tendency of scrolling through an infinite stream of distressing negative online

content, reflects on how users are being pulled into a continuous cycle of

negative consumption, heightening feelings such as helplessness, anxiety and

shock. According to the research by (Fuchs, 2023) we can determine that “the

increasing dependency for social media usage feeds this cycle, where people feel

impelled to continuously check their devices constantly, unveiling negative

feelings and prolonging their anxiety.” Not only altering individuals’ awareness of

their surroundings but also affecting them physically influencing them in the

ways they interact with the world around them.

Moreover, the obsessive nature of social media is a central factor to the

dependant nature many users face on their mobile devices. Intended to

captivate us through the flow of notifications and instant feedback, social media

platforms create a sense of importance and urgency between the user and the

device. Leading to people feeling obliged to repeatedly check their devices,

reinforcing a custom that may progress into an addiction. Where Kuss and

9
Griffiths (2017) state that “social medias instant gratification taking shape in the

form of comments, likes and share – triggers the brain reward system causing

dopamine release encouraging frequent engagement.” Dangerously over time,

this process can result in the dependency of users feeling distress without access

to their device unable to part from the instant gratification offered by various

platforms. The persuasive nature allows for an environment where social media

becomes an integral part of everyday reality.

Algorithms play a significant role in enhancing this addiction, which is affirmed

by (Tufekci, 2015) as they are created to “maximise user engagement

specifically modifying content tailored to the user based on interactions and user

behaviour.” This further, results in the user being subjected to content that

significantly aligns with their interests or views generating a ‘filter bubble’ – a

form of intellectual isolation that results from personalised searches. Limiting the

diversity of information provided as it adapted to those individual’s needs. The

algorithms job is to keep the user scrolling and interacting due to the provided

content. This consistent stream of dopamine releases reinstates the addictive

cycle. The algorithm's constant adapting nature ensures that the content

continuously remains relevant and engaging, intensifying the dependency

through an addictive nature.

1.2 - Introduction to the link of mental health and social media

10
Due to the rapid social media integration in users’ daily lives, it requires a

detailed understanding of its impacts on children and adolescents showcasing

the implications and negativities it can hold owing to the abuse in exposure. This

sub-chapter will briefly explore the various contexts of social media amongst

youthful users, whilst inspecting the transaction between both social media and

mental health.

Social media throughout history has been viewed as a significantly evolving

inception in the late 20th century. The accounts of social media and mental

health are woven with the constant reconstruction in modern advancements.

When platforms in the early 2000s, such as Facebook and Myspace, began to

emerge, they developed new methods for community building and social

interaction. As social media became a more vital and persuasive force, research

began to question and explore the impact on mental health, ruling out the

connection between them both as the effects on well-being were sought to

navigate the concerns of online interactions and exposure.

Social media addiction has been an increasing issue as it plays a significant role

in the deuteriation of mental health. As explained previously, many social media

platforms are created to be highly engaging to provide instant gratification for a

fulfilling experience. This addiction encourages the abuse in the usage of various

platforms which can contribute to various mental health issues. Analysis by

Christakis et al. (2018), has proven that prolonged screen time usage has been

linked with “sleep disturbances, impaired executive function and

overstimulation.” Where (Yu et al., 2024), “sleep disruption can contribute to

anxiety, depression and emotional instability through prolonged usage.”

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One of the most common mental health conditions intertwined with social media

is anxiety. The consistent supply of information, the fear of missing out (FOMO)

and maintaining a certain status can stimulate anxiety disorders. Research has

shown that excessive social media usage is linked to elevated levels of anxiety.

Based off of absorbed digital content where (Sperling, 2024) documents that it is,

“created by an environment where users are constantly evaluating themselves

with one another, through the consumption of interactions and content

consumed. As the fear of being judged is magnified in social media, where

individuals are urged to portray only the best on themselves. The gap between

one’s real life and the portrayed is a facade which can lead to anxiety can poor

mental well-being.”

Chapter 2 - Children’s and Adolescents cognitive development

As digital media has become a central focal point in the lives of children and

adolescents, the developmental stages of children and adolescents have become

marked through distinct cognitive and emotional transformations, through the

research of Piaget (1972) it is documented that “during the ages of 12-15 (the

middle childhood), children's logical thinking skills are developed, characterised

by logical reasoning about concrete events.” Digital media includes interactive

and educational games that can somewhat enhance cognitive development

through providing stimulating environments, promoting critical and problem-

solving skills. For instance, it has been documented by Granic, Lobel and Engels

(2014), “gamified learning platforms have been said to improve mathematical

abilities, fostering an intrinsic motivation when studying and learning new

12
things.” However, unmonitored and uncontrolled digital media usage during this

stage in child's life can lead to negative outcomes. As Christakis et al. (2018b),

suggests that prolonged screen time usage has been linked with “sleep

disturbances, impaired executive function and overstimulation.”

As children, transform into adolescence (ages 13-18), social media transforms

into the focal avenue for identity exploration and social interactions. Where

(Erikson, 1968) suggested that “adolescents being in the process of forming their

self-identity and seeking autonomy, causes them to be susceptible to a social

media influence across the platforms.” These opportunity-bound platforms offer

beneficial social development, through self-expression and communication

across the different elements. However, it can also expose them to risks that

may implement their mental health through cyberbullying, build-up in anxiety

and many others.

The cognitive repercussions of mobile phone and social media reliance is

endless. From one perspective, digital media displays a sense of belonging and

community for users who may feel secluded in their lives. However, Kross et al.

(2013) suggests that “consistent social media involvement has been partnered

to detrimental outcomes as studies commonly associated them with poor mental

well-being and in the long run, decreased levels of satisfaction.”

Similarly, social media promotes unrealistic standards of beauty and success

leading youthful users to feel “inadequate and inferior, causing symptoms of

depression and poor mental well-being due to the extreme dissatisfaction in the

user’s life” Kross et al. (2013).

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Chapter 3.1 - Social media eating disorders and use of body image

Body image is described as an individual’s aesthetic insights on their own body.

White et al. (2015), argues that “a positive body image involves a healthy and

accepted physical appearance, where a negative body image is mainly driven by

dissatisfaction and a constant cycle of altering and improving one’s body leading

to signs of distress. As although these unrealistic portrayals have been linked to

the increase in body dissatisfaction and dysmorphia rates especially in young

adolescents, he then goes onto explain how “through filtered and edited images

social media has elevates the pressure to meet these standards causing the

users to feel inadequate in their looks” (White et al., 2015).

The digital media influence on body image is strongly associated with the link to

developmental eating disorders, which according to Willsky (2022), are

“classified as a very critical mental health condition, involving a severe fixation

on observing one’s food, weight and body shape.” The most shared eating

disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders.

which are conditions that only arise due to extreme pressure which are a result

of the intense social beauty standard that are endured throughout all social

media platforms.

14
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are extreme

mental health conditions that according to NHS (2024), “have prolonged effects

on people's physical and mental well-being. Which are harmful as they can cause

malnutrition and organ damage. They often have a distorted image of their

bodies, thinking they're fat even when they're underweight.”

The result of body image in regard to social media is profoundly associated in the

development of eating disorders, which is a serious mental health conditions,

outlined by a fixated unease in relation to your food, weight and body shape.

Owing to the focus on unattainable visual content, social media platforms such

as TikTok and Instagram are marginally responsible to this visionary aspiration.

These platforms visibly present a romanticized image portraying toned, slim

images of one another introducing feelings such as jealousy and discontent.

Dallesasse and Kluck (2013), illustrated “that large social media exposure

coincides with an increase in body dissatisfaction, especially among young

women.”

Upon further research, analysis has proven that judging by Cookingham and

Ryan (2015) and Dallesasse and Kluck (2013b) they both argue that “body

dissatisfaction is in fact more prevalent amongst young women on account of the

extreme online pressure they subliminally face. For adolescent girls, the mixture

of reaching puberty, and the value of seeking approval from peers and romantic

relationships, can increase vulnerability to negative body image; as research

suggests social media may have a greater influence on their body dissatisfaction

compared to boys.”

15
In addition, a symmetric study by McLean, Paxton and Wertheim (2016), they

proclaim that “the ongoing use of social media platforms is linked to amplified

internalization of small ideals and larger appearance comparisons, as the

implications of the crafted content and beauty filters cannot be magnified.”

Fardouly, Pinkus and Vartanian (2017), established that “comparing oneself to

edited online photos significantly weakens body image perceptions creating a

more distorted view of the user's personal body.”

The negative effects of both social media and body image dissatisfaction and

eating disorders extend beyond physicals but are also psychologically

detrimental in the given consequences. Where Fardouley et al., (2015), again

documented that they had proven that “those who experience body

dissatisfaction are more likely to obtain anxiety, depression and a complex.”

Chapter 3.2 - The disorder of moods and social media

Mood disorders are mental health conditions that are identified through the

constant change in a person’s mood, implementing their emotions and overall

function.

According to Dallesasse and Kluck (2013c), “the persistent exposure to online

content can create a warped view on reality, contributing to feelings of

depression and low self-worth.” It was then further analysed that (Dallesasse and

Kluck 2013c) again documented that “individuals who spend more time on social

16
media are at a higher risk of obtaining or further developing depressive

symptoms.”

For individuals that are already struggling with pre-existing mood disorders such

as depression or anxiety, social media can act as a stimulus. Platforms such as

Twitter and Facebook aren’t only spaces for comparison but also a gateway to

cyberbullying and negative interactions. A study by Markey et al. (2017) reveals

that many adolescents and young children have reported after using social

media they’d become “emotionally drained”, particularly when being exposed to

online negative comments and harmful content.

Research has also documented that social media plays a crucial role in the

creation of depression in more vulnerable populations. According to Pantic

(2014), “this persistent over exposure to various portrayals of others’ lives can

create feelings of incompetence and self-doubt diminishing one’s self-esteem

contributing to mood instability.”

Chapter 4 - Social media quantitative approaches

Parental involvement is crucial given the link between prolonged usage and

mental health. The Council on Communications and Media (2016) and the

American Academy of Pediatrics (2013) they both recommend on “setting

consistent limits on screen time to mitigate and eliminate these risks;

emphasizing the importance in parental guidance involving social media

consumption.” Also, according to Vandewater, Shim and Caplovitz (2004),

“occasional regulation and screen time is an effective strategy in reducing

17
negative and harmful risks.” Further research (Vandewater, Shim and Caplovitz

2004b), has documented that “children that limit their screen time for one to two

hours a day are more likely emit lower rates of depression compared to a user

who abuses their exposure with unrestricted access.”

Through the growing use of parental control apps on young user’s mobile

devices, allow parents to set limits, block harmful and inappropriate content and

monitor most interactions to sustain their child’s online safety. Quantitative data

has conducted interventions that often show a drop in the mental health

indicators such as mood and sleep quality due to limited exposure to online

content.

In addition to monitoring screen time, another crucial factor is educating the

importance of healthy social media usage to children and adolescents. Again,

quantitative approaches have proven that ‘digital literacy programs’ are effective

in educating adolescents improving their understandings and teaching them of

the risks it may hold. Children have been reported that by engaging in positive

online behaviours, it’ll shape and educate them on the psychological effects.

Through linking education and monitored usage, parents/guardians can provide

their children with the right skills to navigate digital media platforms responsibly.

Finally, another resourceful method on guiding parents and guardians on how to

use social media safely would be to encourage parents to promote offline,

physical and face-to-face activities. For instance, a study directed by Council on

Communications and Media (2016b), has found that “adolescents that partake in

and physics or extracurricular activities are less likely and have lower rates of

anxiety and depression.”

18
Conclusion

In a time where social media dominates our everyday life, the substantial

impacts of social media and excessive mobile usage in children and adolescents

is evident. This project has examined the mobile device and social media

dependency, the prolonged usage, cognitive/psychological consequences and

the health sector regarding all of the above detriments.

The persistent exposure to unrealistic online portrayal has strongly contributed

to the extensive challenges it carries such as: eating disorders, body

dissatisfaction and mood instability. Additionally, the addictive nature of these

platforms reinstates the dependency through the algorithmic user engagement.

The transformation on digital media incorporated into reality further reflects the

capacity to undermine face-to-face relations and continue to erode at one’s self-

esteem, intensifying mental health.

However as much as social media emits risks, it also offers opportunities for self-

expression, connection and education in some cases. The balance between the

benefits and the risks lies up to the parents and guardians regarding their

approaches and navigations through digital media such as: quantitative

approaches such as offline physical activities and by limiting screen time to

prove effectiveness eliminating any potential risks.

To conclude, upon acknowledging the extreme effects and excessive exposure,

society can benefit immensely through this technological revolution. Through the

gathered research from this project, it further illustrates the importance in

19
adopting a newfound awareness toward social media regarding prolonged usage,

enabling youthful users to gain the ability to navigate this digital realm in a more

safe and efficient way.

Word count: 5895

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