Impact of Social Media Use on Mental Health within Adolescent and Student Populations during COVID-19 Pandemic: Review

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Marija Draženović
• Author: Tea Vukušić Rukavina
• Author: Lovela Machala Poplašen
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Social Medicine and Health Care Organization)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Information and Communication Sciences; Library Science

Abstract (english)

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our lives. By increased screen time during the pandemic, social media (SM) could have significantly impacted adolescents’ and students’ mental health (MH). This literature review aims to synthesize the research on the impact of SM usage on MH of adolescents and students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of the published literature was conducted in April 2021, through a search of PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The search yielded 1136 records, with 13 articles selected for this review. Most of the included studies observed the negative impact of SM use on MH of adolescents and students, most noticeably observed were anxiety, depression and stress. More active and prolonged SM usage was associated with a negative impact on MH of adolescents and students. Two studies recorded some potentially positive effects, such as support in coping and providing a sense of connection for those who were isolated due to social distancing measures. Since this review focuses on the early period of the pandemic, future studies should investigate the long-term impact of SM use on adolescents and students MH, with all relevant elements that can enable adequate public health response.

• Keywords (english): Adolescent; COVID-19; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Social Media; Students / psychology
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Numbering: vol. 20, no. 4, 3392
• e-ISSN: 1660-4601
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043392
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:277825
• Publication: 2023-02-15
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3392
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-01-11 12:22:28