ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY, UTURU.

P.M.B 2000

FACULTY OF
DEPARTMENT OF

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
“HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF A TEENAGER”

PRESENTED
BY

S/N NAME MATRIC NO

1. ONWUKWE KELECHI PECULIAR 2023/139373/REGULAR

2. OWOH PRECIOUS MIRACLE 2023/137517/REGULAR

3. OTTONG QUEENTH 2023/140070/REGULAR

4. NWACHUKWU FAVOR 2023/139099/REGULAR

5. OBINNA FORTUNE 2023/138764/REGULAR

LEVEL: 300
COURSE CODE: SOC 113
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
LECTURER: DR IKONNE
Hypothesis:

When looking into how social media impacts the mental health of teenagers, a

hypothesis was conducted on the; "Increased use of social media among teenagers

which is likely to be associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and

feelings of inadequacy due to factors like cyberbullying, social comparison, and

reduced real-life social interactions." This hypothesis sets the stage for exploring

the potential negative effects of social media on the mental well-being of

teenagers.

When considering the impact of social media on teenage mental health, another

hypothesis conducted, which is; "Frequent engagement with social media

platforms by teenagers may lead to decreased self-esteem, increased feelings of

loneliness, and heightened levels of stress due to constant exposure to curated and

often unrealistic portrayals of others' lives." This hypothesis highlights the

potential effects of social media use on teenagers' emotional well-being.

Social media can bring about various challenges for teenagers, such as;

1. Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is a major issue, where individuals face

harassment and negativity online.

2. Exposure to Idealized Images: The constant exposure to idealized images

can lead to negative body image perceptions.

3. Seeking Validation: Teens often seek validation through likes and

comments, fostering an addiction to social approval.

4. Reduction of face-to face interaction: Reduced face-to-face interactions

due to excessive social media use can result in feelings of loneliness and

isolation. Additionally, unrealistic standards of beauty and success portrayed

on social platforms can impact teenagers' self-esteem and mental well-being.

BACKGROUND RESEARCH:

Research studies have shown that excessive social media use among teenagers is

associated with increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The

contribute to a decline in self-esteem and overall well-being. Additionally,

cyberbullying through social media can have detrimental effects on teenagers'

mental health, leading to feelings of isolation and distress. Understanding these

research findings can help in developing strategies to promote healthier social

media habits among teenagers.

Furthermore, Studies have indicated that, spending excessive time on social media

platforms can lead to a decrease in real-life social interactions, which are crucial

for emotional well-being. Moreover, the constant exposure to unrealistic beauty

standards and curated lifestyles on social media can significantly impact teenagers'

self-esteem and body image perceptions. Cyberbullying is another concerning

issue, with the anonymity of the online world making it easier for negative

behaviors to occur. These factors collectively emphasize the importance of

promoting a healthy balance in social media use among teenagers to safeguard

their mental health.

Variables:
1. Time Spent on Social Media: The amount of time teenagers spend on

platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat can influence their mental well-

being. Excessive use may lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety.

2. Type of Content Consumed: The nature of content viewed, such as images

promoting unrealistic beauty standards or triggering comparison, can impact self-

esteem and body image.

3. Frequency of Interactions: The number of interactions and engagement with

peers on social media can affect social validation and feelings of acceptance.

4. Experiences of Cyberbullying: Encountering cyberbullying, like hurtful

comments or online harassment, can have detrimental effects on mental health and

self-esteem.

5. Influence of Social Comparison: Constantly comparing one's life to idealized

portrayals on social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy and lower self-worth.
Understanding these variables is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by

social media and promoting a healthier online environment for teenagers.

Questionnaires:

1. How does the amount of time spent on social media affect teenagers' mental
well-being?_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. In what ways can the type of content consumed on social media platforms
influence teenagers' self-esteem?________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. What role does the frequency of interactions on social media play in shaping
teenagers' feelings of acceptance?_______________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. How do experiences of cyberbullying impact teenagers' mental health and self-

__________________________________________________________________

5. Can the influence of social comparison on social media lead to negative effects
on teenagers' self-worth?______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
6. What strategies can teenagers use to maintain a healthy balance in their social
media use?_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. How can parents and educators support teenagers in navigating the challenges of
social media and mental health?________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. Are there any positive aspects of social media that can contribute to teenagers'
well-being?_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. What are some warning signs that indicate social media is negatively impacting
a teenager's mental health?____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. How can teenagers build resilience against the negative effects of social media
on their mental well-being?____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

11. How does the frequency of social media use influence teenagers' mental well-
being?_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

12. What role does social media play in shaping teenagers' body image
perceptions?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

13. Can social media contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation among
teenagers?__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

14. How do peer interactions on social media platforms affect teenagers' mental
health?____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

15. In what ways can social media impact the quality of teenagers' sleep patterns?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

16. Does social media exposure contribute to increased stress levels in teenagers?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

17. What are the effects of cyberbullying on teenagers' mental health through
social media?_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

18. How does the comparison of one's life to others on social media impact
teenagers' self-esteem?________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
19. Can social media use lead to addictive behaviors in teenagers affecting their
mental health?______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

20. What strategies can teenagers implement to maintain a positive relationship

__________________________________________________________________

21. How does the portrayal of idealized lifestyles on social media influence
teenagers' mental well-being?__________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

22. Are there gender differences in how social media affects the mental health of
teenagers?__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

23. What are the potential long-term effects of excessive social media use on
teenagers' mental health?______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

24. How can parents and educators support teenagers in developing healthy social
media habits for better mental health?____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

25. What are the benefits of social media use on teenagers' mental health, if any?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

26. How does social media influence teenagers' coping mechanisms for stress and
anxiety?____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

27. What role does social media play in the development of body dissatisfaction
and eating disorders among teenagers?___________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

28. How do privacy concerns on social media platforms impact teenagers' mental
health?_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

29. Are there cultural differences in how social media affects the mental health of
teenagers?__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

30. What are the implications of social media use on teenagers' overall well-being
and mental health outcomes?___________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
 REFERENCE

American Psychological Association (APA): "Teens' social media use linked to

mental health concerns" (2019)

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking: "Social Media Addiction and

Depression in Teenagers" (2019)

Journal of Adolescent Health: "Association Between Social Media Use and

Depression Among US Adolescents" (2018)

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry: "Social Media Use and Depression in

Adolescents: A Systematic Review" (2020)

Journal of Youth and Adolescence: "The Relationship Between Social Media Use

and Anxiety in Teenagers" (2020)

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): "Social Media Use and Mental Health

in Teenagers" (2020)
PLOS ONE: "Social Media Use and Mental Health in a Sample of US

Adolescents" (2019)

Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): "#StatusOfMind: Social media and

young people's mental health and wellbeing" (2017)