Adolescents' Exposure to Social Media and its Impact on Their Psychological Health: A Field Study on Middle School Students

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the impact of social media use on the mental health of middle school students through a field study involving a sample of students in public and private schools. The research focused on analyzing the relationship between usage duration and the types of platforms used, while also monitoring manifestations of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The study employed various data collection tools, including questionnaires and personal interviews, to analyze the psychological and social aspects of adolescents. The results showed that excessive use of social media is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression, and increased feelings of loneliness, with the impact varying according to the type of platform and the daily usage duration. The results also highlighted the importance of guiding adolescents toward balanced use and enhancing family and educational awareness to mitigate the negative effects of these platforms.