Assessing the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review of Benefits, Risks, and Future Directions

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 03 | Page : –
    By

    Aryan Dennis,

  • Netra Dhulap,

Abstract

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Social media is now a major part of everyday life, shaping how people connect, communicate, and view the world. Although social media brings many advantages like better connectivity, easy access to information, and platforms for self-expression, experts and researchers are increasingly worried about its effects on mental health. This paper explores the dual nature of social media, highlighting both its advantages and drawbacks, particularly its psychological effects. The widespread use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok has led to both positive and negative psychological outcomes. On the positive side, social media facilitates social support, allows individuals to maintain relationships across distances, and provides access to mental health resources. But when social media is used too much and without limits, it’s connected to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, particularly in teenagers and young adults. Constantly seeing carefully edited online lives and unrealistic images can make people feel inadequate and unhappy with their own lives. On top of that, cyberbullying, online harassment, and social media addiction all play a role in harming mental health. The dopamine rush from likes, shares, and comments can make people overly reliant on getting approval through social media. Furthermore, sleep disturbances, decreased attention spans, and reduced real-life social interactions are commonly associated with high social media usage. This paper also discusses mitigation strategies, such as digital detoxes, awareness campaigns, and parental control measures, to minimize the adverse effects of social media on mental health. It’s important to understand the complex connection between social media and mental health in order to build healthier habits online. Policymakers, educators, and tech companies must collaborate to create digital environments that prioritize mental well-being, encourage responsible usage, and foster positive online interactions. By promoting awareness and implementing necessary safeguards, society can strike a balance between leveraging social media’s advantages while mitigating its negative psychological effects.

Keywords: Social Media, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Youth

[This article belongs to OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal ]

How to cite this article:
Aryan Dennis, Netra Dhulap. Assessing the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review of Benefits, Risks, and Future Directions. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2025; 15(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
Aryan Dennis, Netra Dhulap. Assessing the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review of Benefits, Risks, and Future Directions. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2025; 15(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/osmj/article=2025/view=0


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https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851

Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 03
Received 10/03/2025
Accepted 20/04/2025
Published 24/05/2025
Publication Time 75 Days
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