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The impact of social media on adolescent self-esteem and mental health -…
The impact of social media on adolescent self-esteem and mental health
Purpose of the research
Research question
How does social media use affect adolescent and mental health
What role do emotional problems and social media addiction play in mediating these effect?
Significance of the research
Provides insight into how digital behavior affects identity development.
Informs youth programs and interventions focused on emotional regulation and media literacy.
Addresses a growing public health concern among adolescents globally.
Synthesis of literature
To examine how specific patterns of social media use contribute to adolescent self-esteem and emotional well-being.
To explore the mediating role of emotional problems and addiction in the relationship between social media engagement and mental health outcomes.
Qualitative Data
Qualitative data will be collected through focus groups with 6–8 adolescents to explore how social media influences their emotional well-being and self-esteem. Responses will be thematically analyzed to identify patterns in their emotional experiences, online interactions, and coping strategies.
Quantitative Data
Quantitative data will be collected using the validated Social Media–Related Peer Experiences Questionnaire (SMRPEQ) with 100 adolescents. The results will be analyzed using descriptive and correlational methods to examine the relationship between negative online peer experiences and emotional well-being.
Adolescents with emotional vulnerabilities may be especially at risk (Khalaf et al., 2023).
Emotional problems may lead to addictive use of social media, further lowering self-worth (Acar et al., 2022).
Excessive social media use is linked to increased depressive symptoms and low self-esteem (Kelly et al., 2018).
Qualitative result
Adolescents in the focus groups shared that social media often makes them feel “not good enough,” especially after viewing posts about peers’ appearance, popularity, or achievements. Many described comparing themselves to others and feeling excluded or anxious when they were not part of group chats or tagged photos. These insights revealed that emotional responses to social media are deeply tied to peer dynamics and self-image. These responses suggest that social media contributes to emotional distress and lower self-esteem by reinforcing social comparison and fear of exclusion.
quantitative result
Survey data showed that 72% of participants reported frequent feelings of being left out or ignored on social media. Higher levels of negative peer experiences online were moderately correlated with lower self-esteem and higher emotional distress scores. The results support the idea that negative social media experiences especially peer-related ones are linked to poorer emotional well-being and self-esteem in adolescents.
The organization could implement a “Healthy Digital Habits” workshop to help youth recognize and manage the emotional effects of social media, especially around comparison and peer pressure. A peer support circle could also be introduced to provide a safe space for youth to talk about their online experiences and build resilience.