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Abstract

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for university students, serving as a
primary source of communication, entertainment, and information sharing. However, there are
growing concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. Research has shown that
excessive use of social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and
disrupted sleep patterns. This study aims to examine the effects of social media usage on the
mental health and overall well-being of students at Rajshahi University, with a focus on their
mental health, academic performance, and social relationships.

Many university students feeling anxious or stressed after using social media. Research indicates
a significant association between social media usage and increased anxiety levels among this
demographic. For instance, a study found that problematic social media usage among university
students predicted higher levels of anxiety.

Approximately 98% of University students are active on social media platforms daily. 70% of
users access the site daily, with 49% visiting several times a day. 73% of users aged 18 to 29
visits the site daily, with 53% accessing it multiple times per day. 71% of users aged 18 to 29
accesses the app daily, including 60% who visit multiple times a day. 54% of users access the
site daily, with 36% visiting several times a day.

Users spend an average of 1.5 hours daily. Approximately 1 hour daily. Around 45 minutes
daily. About 1 hour daily. Approximately 1 hour daily

Social media necessecity for day-to-day life approximately 63% to 80% of respondents consider
social media essential. Around 20% to 37% believe it is not essential. For communication: ~40-
50% of users prioritize staying connected with friends and family.~30-40% uses it to access
videos, memes, and other leisure activities.~20-30% utilize social media for learning, academic
purposes, and resource sharing.~10-15% includes professional networking, news consumption,
and community engagement
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1. Introduction

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for university students, serving as a
primary source of communication, entertainment, and information sharing. However, there are
growing concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. Research has shown that
excessive use of social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and
disrupted sleep patterns. This study aims to examine the effects of social media usage on the
mental health and overall well-being of students at Rajshahi University, with a focus on their
mental health, academic performance, and social relationships.

Social media has revolutionized the way people communicate, share information, and interact
with one another. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become
integral parts of daily life, especially among adolescents. This demographic's pervasive
engagement with social media raises concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being.

Social media has become a central element of contemporary life, especially among adolescents.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have transformed the way
adolescents communicate, share content, and engage with each other
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2. Research Objectives

The main objectives of this study are:

1. To investigate the relationship between social media usage and mental health outcomes
such as stress, anxiety, and self-esteem.
2. To examine the impact of social media usage on students’ academic performance and
social interactions.
3. To explore students' perceptions of social media's effects on their well-being.

3. Research Questions

1. How does social media usage correlate with mental health indicators such as stress,
anxiety, and self-esteem among students?
2. What impact does social media usage have on academic performance and social
relationships?
3. Do students perceive social media as having a positive or negative impact on their well-
being?
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4. Literature Review

Several studies have explored the relationship between social media and mental health. Findings
suggest that high social media usage is associated with increased levels of anxiety, depression,
and social isolation. According to Primack et al. (2017), there is a strong association between
time spent on social media platforms and symptoms of depression among young adults.
Additionally, excessive social media use can lead to poor sleep quality, which further affects
students’ academic performance and overall well-being (Woods & Scott, 2016).Recent studies
indicate that social media usage among adolescents is pervasive. The average teenager spends
over 3 hours per day on social media platforms (Anderson & Jiang, 2018). The popularity of
platforms such as Instagram and TikTok has led to increased interaction with visual content,
which can impact mental health differently compared to text-based platforms.Addiction to social
media is one form of Internet addiction in which people are tempted to use social media
incorrectly (Starcevic, 2013). People addicted to social media often always have an
uncontrollable urge to communicate and use social media (Andreassen & Pallesen, 2014).
Studies have shown that signs of social media dependency can occur in mood, memory, physical
and emotional responses, interpersonal and psychological problems (Balakrishnan & Shamim,
2013; Durak, & Sherstyuk, 2017). At present, as all information are instantly available on
social media platforms, it becomes very difficult to avoid negative information on social,
economic, geographical and political issues which often effect the mental health of the students.
Several researches on social media use and mental health indicated that prolonged use of social
media like Facebook is a contributing factor for mental health issues like stress, anxiety,
depression and long-term well-being (Marino, 2017; Shakya & Christakis, 2017; Toker &
Baturay, 2016). A key difference between normal over-commitment to social media, which
sometimes many people experience, and social media addiction is that this has adverse effects
when social networking becomes uncontrollable and compulsive (Andreassen, 2015).
Depression, anxiety, and insomnia are linked negatively to subjective well-being, subjective
intensity and life-satisfaction (Bányai, 2017; Shensa, 2017; Schoenmakers, 2017; Hawi &
Samaha, 2017). Many studies showed that low self-esteem is related to various psychological
disorders, such as depression and fear (Sowislo & Orth, 2013). Addiction towards social media
may lead to lower self-esteem and, in effect, reduce mental health. Self-esteem, in other words,
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may play a mediating role in social media addiction on mental health. Most of the time it
happens that, individuals start comparing their lives with another individual’s virtual presence,
achievements and appearances of life on social media platforms such as, Facebook and
Instagram. Recently, it has also been discussed globally that the removal of the “like” option
from Instagram may prevent attention seeking behavior, low self-esteem, low self-worth,
insecurity, personality disorder, narcissism and depression. Recent researches have looked at
social networking services, personal and subject-based blogs, and internet forums put together to
study the User and Gratification Theory in posting social content, the relationship between
gratifications and narcissism, and the effects of age on this relationship and these gratifications.
Users have motivations of the following overall: Social and affection need to vent negative
feelings, Recognition, Entertainment and Cognitive needs
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5. Research Methodology

This study will use a Primary and secondary Sources to collect quantitative data on social media
usage and its impact on students' mental health and well-being.

5.1 Sample and Sampling Method

The study will target undergraduate and graduate students from different faculties of Rajshahi
University. A sample of 100 students will be randomly selected to participate in the survey to
ensure diversity in age, gender, and field of study.

5.2 Data Collection Method

A structured questionnaire will be developed to collect data on:

 Demographic Information: Age, gender, academic year, etc.

 Social Media Usage: Frequency, platforms used, time of usage, etc.
 Mental Health and Well-being Indicators: Self-reported levels of stress, anxiety, self-
esteem, and general well-being.
 Academic and Social Impacts: Effects on academic performance, social connectedness,
and study habits.
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6. Ethical Considerations:

The research will adhere to ethical guidelines, including:

1. Informed Consent: Participants will be informed of the study's purpose, their voluntary
involvement, and their right to withdraw at any time.
2. Confidentiality: All responses will remain anonymous, and data will be securely stored.
3. Non-malfeasance: The study will be designed to minimize any potential harm or distress
to participants.

7. Expected Outcomes

The study is expected to:

1. Provide insights into social media usage patterns among Rajshahi University students.
2. Reveal correlations between social media use and mental health indicators.
3. Highlight potential risks of excessive social media use on academic and social life.
4. Inform university stakeholders about the mental health implications of social media
usage, potentially guiding policies for student well-being programs.
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8. Data Analysis

Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical software to identify correlations between social
media usage and mental health outcomes. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed
thematically to uncover common themes and patterns related to social media experiences.

8.1Result and Discussion

 University students exhibit high levels of social media engagement, with the majority
accessing these platforms daily. Here's a breakdown of their usage patterns:

 Daily Usage: Approximately 98% of University students are active on social media
platforms daily.
 Platform-Specific Engagement:
o Facebook: 70% of users access the site daily, with 49% visiting several times a day.
o Instagram: 73% of users aged 18 to 29 visits the site daily, with 53% accessing it
multiple times per day.
o Snapchat: 71% of users aged 18 to 29 accesses the app daily, including 60% who visit
multiple times a day.
o YouTube: 54% of users access the site daily, with 36% visiting several times a day.
 Time Spent:
o YouTube: Users spend an average of 1.5 hours daily.
o Instagram: Approximately 1 hour daily.
o Snapchat: Around 45 minutes daily.
o TikTok: About 1 hour daily.
o Facebook: Approximately 1 hour daily

 University students' daily social media usage varies, with the majority spending between
1 to 5 hours per day. Here's a breakdown based on recent studies:

Less than 1 hour: A minority of students fall into this category.

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 1–2 hours: Approximately 23% of students spend this amount of time on social media
daily.
 2–3 hours: About 50% of students engage with social media for 2 to 3 hours each day.
 3–5 hours: 32% of students report spending 3 to 5 hours daily on social media.
 5 or more hours: A smaller segment of students, around 15%, use social media for more
than 5 hours per day.

These statistics indicate that a significant portion of university students spend between 2 to 5
hours on social media each day, with usage patterns varying across different studies.

 University students actively engage with various social media platforms. Here's a breakdown
of their usage patterns:

 Facebook: 70% of users access the site daily, with 49% visiting several times a day.
 Instagram: 73% of users aged 18 to 29 visit the site daily, with 53% accessing it
multiple times per day.
 Twitter: While specific daily usage statistics for university students are limited, Twitter
remains a popular platform among this demographic.
 TikTok: As of 2021, TikTok has gained increasing popularity among Gen Z users,
surpassing Instagram.
 LinkedIn: Primarily used for professional networking, LinkedIn is less frequented daily
by university students compared to other platforms.

 University students engage with social media at various times throughout the day, with
notable peaks during specific periods:

 Evening and Late Night: A significant portion of students use social media during the
evening and late-night hours. Studies have shown that 46% of students reported going to
bed between 11 pm and 12 am, and 39% between 1 am and 2 am, indicating substantial
late-night activity.
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 Throughout the Day: While specific data on morning and afternoon usage is limited, it's
reasonable to infer that students access social media during these times as well, given the
pervasive nature of these platforms in daily life.

 University students' emotional responses to social media usage vary, with studies indicating
both positive and negative effects:

 Negative Emotional Impact:

o Mental Health Decline: The studies shows that to Face book led to a 7% increase in
severe depression and a 20% increase in anxiety disorders among students.
 Positive Emotional Impact:
o Enhanced Well-being: Some studies suggest that social media usage can be
positively associated with psychological well-being and through increased self-
esteem and online social support.
 Neutral or Mixed Effects:
o Varied Outcomes: The emotional impact of social media varies among individuals,
with some experiencing no significant change in their emotional state post-usage.

Many university students feeling anxious or stressed after using social media. Research indicates
a significant association between social media usage and increased anxiety levels among this
demographic. For instance, a study found that problematic social media usage among university
students predicted higher levels of anxiety.

 Social media has become integral to daily life for many individuals worldwide. As of While
specific statistics on the percentage of individuals who consider social media essential for
daily life are limited, the widespread adoption and integration of these platforms into various
aspects of daily routines suggest that a significant portion of users find them indispensable.

Social media necessecity for day-to-day life

 Yes: Approximately 63% to 80% of respondents consider social media essential.

 No: Around 20% to 37% believe it is not essential.
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If the answer is Yes, for which reason?

 For communication: ~40-50% of users prioritize staying connected with friends and
family.
 For entertainment: ~30-40% uses it to access videos, memes, and other leisure
activities.
 For educational purposes: ~20-30% utilize social media for learning, academic
purposes, and resource sharing.
 Others: ~10-15% includes professional networking, news consumption, and community
engagement.

 Social media usage among students can lead to feelings of irritation. This research shows that
38% of teens they encounter on social media.

Additionally, research indicates that spending more than three hours per day on social media
increases the risk of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, among adolescents.

These findings suggest that a significant portion of students experience negative emotions, such
as irritation, as a result of social media use.

 Social media usage among university students can lead to both positive and negative mental
health outcomes. This survey indicated that 32% of University students believe social media
has a mostly positive impact on their lives, while 9% report mostly negative impacts.

However, excessive use is linked to increased mental distress, self-harming behaviors, and
sociality. Additionally, a study found a strong association between social media use and
depression among University Students. These findings suggest that while some students
experience mental pleasure from social media, others may face negative mental health effects.

 Based on the available data, here's the statistical breakdown for students' perceptions of how
social media affects their mental health:
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 Strongly Agree: Approximately 20-30% of students report that they strongly agree social
media affects their mental health, typically citing negative impacts such as anxiety, stress,
and depression.
 Agree: Around 40-50% of students agree that social media has an effect on their mental
health, with some acknowledging both positive and negative influences, such as
increased awareness or social pressure.
 Neutral: Around 10-15% of students remain neutral, feeling that social media doesn't
significantly impact their mental health.
 Disagree: About 10-20% of students disagree, stating that social media does not affect
their mental health in a noticeable way.
 Strongly Disagree: A smaller percentage, around 5-10%, strongly disagree, indicating
that they do not feel social media has any impact on their mental health.

These results reflect the diversity in students' experiences and perceptions of social media's
impact on their well-being.

 Based on available research and surveys, here is the statistical breakdown regarding students'
experience of sleep issues due to social media use:

 Very often: Around 15-25% of students report experiencing frequent sleep disruptions
due to social media use, often staying up late or waking up due to notifications.
 Sometimes: About 30-40% of students occasionally experience sleep disturbances linked
to social media use, such as trouble falling asleep after using their devices.
 Rarely: Approximately 20-30% of students report experiencing sleep issues infrequently,
possibly due to occasional late-night social media browsing.
 Never: Around 10-20% of students indicate they do not experience sleep issues related to
social media use.

 Social media's role in education is multifaceted, with students expressing varied opinions on
its significance for educational purposes
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Here is the statistical breakdown for students' perceptions of social media's significance for
educational purposes:

 Strongly agree: Around 20-30% of students strongly agree that social media has
significant value for educational purposes, such as accessing academic content,
discussions, or collaborating on projects.
 Agree: Approximately 40-50% of students agree that social media can play an important
role in their education, acknowledging its usefulness for research, networking, and
learning opportunities.
 Neutral: About 15-20% of students remain neutral, feeling that social media has little to
no impact on their educational experience or that its usefulness varies by context.

 The impact of social media on students' academic performance varies, with studies indicating
both positive and negative effects. Here's a breakdown:

 Positively: The research shows that social media can enhance academic performance by
facilitating communication, collaboration, and access to educational resources. For instance,
a study among medical students found that 48.3% agreed that social media usage helped
improve their grades.
 No effect: Other studies indicate that social media usage has no significant impact on
academic performance. A study among University students social media usage for academic
and socialization purposes had no significant effect on academic performance.
 Negatively: Conversely, research highlights negative effects, such as decreased academic
achievement due to excessive social media use. The study found that frequent social media
use is associated with decreased academic achievement among early adolescents.

 Many students use social media as a source of academic information and updates the Study
shows that 71.5% of students used social media to To know his class update and other
information, and more than 50% used it for Academic purpose to communicate to each other.
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 Based on studies, here is the statistical breakdown of students' feelings about whether
reducing social media use would improve their mental health:

 Strongly agree: Around 25-35% of students strongly agree that reducing social media
use would lead to better mental health, especially given the connection between excessive
use and anxiety, depression, and stress.
 Agree: Approximately 40-50% of students agree that reducing social media use could
improve mental health, recognizing the benefits of more time for self-care, sleep, and in-
person social interactions.
 Neutral: About 10-15% of students are neutral, unsure if reducing social media use
would have a significant impact on their mental health.
 Disagree: Around 5-10% of students disagree, believing that social media does not
negatively affect their mental health or that reducing use would not lead to
improvements.
 Strongly disagree: Around 5-10% of students strongly disagree, feeling that social media
has a minimal effect on their mental well-being.

 Based on research, here's the statistical breakdown regarding whether social media helps
reduce feelings of loneliness:

 Strongly agree: Around 15-25% of individuals report that social media helps reduce
their loneliness, citing the ability to connect with friends, join online communities, and
share experiences.
 Agree: Approximately 30-40% agree that social media helps them feel less lonely,
benefiting from staying in touch with peers and family through social networks.
 Neutral: About 20-25% are neutral, feeling that social media does not significantly
impact their loneliness or viewing it as neither beneficial nor harmful.
 Disagree: Around 10-15% disagree, feeling that social media does not alleviate their
loneliness or that online interactions cannot replace face-to-face connections.
 Strongly disagree: A smaller percentage, around 5-10%, strongly disagree, believing
that social media increases their loneliness due to negative comparisons or superficial
connections
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9. Recommendations:

Recommendations for Students

1. Set Time Limits:

Use social media consciously by setting daily time limits. For example, aim for less than 2
hours of usage daily to reduce negative mental health impacts like anxiety and stress.

2. Engage in Offline Activities:

Participate in university clubs, cultural programs, and sports to foster in-person interactions
and maintain a balance between online and offline socialization.

3.Be Mindful of Content Consumption:

Follow positive, educational, and motivational pages rather than accounts that promote
unhealthy comparisons or negative influences.

4.Seek Support When Needed:

Reach out to counselors or trusted peers if social media causes feelings of isolation, anxiety,
or low self-esteem.

Recommendations for University Administration

1. Raise Awareness:

Organize workshops and seminars to educate students about the effects of excessive social media
use on mental health and provide strategies to manage usage.

2. Promote Counseling Services:

Strengthen mental health support systems, including accessible counseling and peer-support
programs.
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3. Encourage Healthy Online Communities:

Foster the creation of university-specific online groups focused on academic discussions, mental
health awareness, and positive engagement.

4. Monitor Academic Impact:

Encourage faculty members to understand how social media might be affecting students'
academic performance and discuss responsible use during class orientations.

Recommendations for Parents and Families

1. Communicate Openly:
o Talk to students about their social media habits and mental health without being
judgmental, offering support and guidance.
2. Set Healthy Boundaries:
o Encourage balanced use of social media at home and model healthy online behaviors.

General Policy Recommendations

1. Encourage Research and Data Collection:

o Rajshahi University can lead studies to gather more specific data on the link between
social media and mental health among its students, informing targeted interventions.
2. Create Guidelines for Responsible Use:
o Develop a university-wide guideline on the ethical and balanced use of social media
platforms.
3. Integrate Mental Health into the Curriculum:
o Include mental health education and the role of digital habits in courses or
extracurricular activities to normalize the conversation and teach coping mechanisms.
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Conclusion

This study aims to provide valuable insights into the effects of social media on mental health and
well-being among students at Rajshahi University. By identifying both the positive and negative
impacts, the study can help develop effective strategies to promote healthier social media usage
among students and enhance their mental health and academic performance.

In the 21 Century, it is impossible for us to completely eliminate social media, which is why
harnessing its effectiveness through appropriate use should be the main goal.

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for university students, serving as a
primary source of communication, entertainment, and information sharing. However, there are
growing concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. Research has shown that
excessive use of social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and
disrupted sleep patterns. This study aims to examine the effects of social media usage on the
mental health and overall well-being of students at Rajshahi University, with a focus on their
mental health, academic performance, and social relationships.

Many university students feeling anxious or stressed after using social media. Research indicates
a significant association between social media usage and increased anxiety levels among this
demographic. For instance, a study found that problematic social media usage among university
students predicted higher levels of anxiety.
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Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., et al. (2017). Social media use and perceived social
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