E-ISSN:2583-1747

Research Article

Mental Sickness

Management Journal for Advanced Research

2025 Volume 5 Number 6 December
Publisherwww.singhpublication.com

The Footprint of Social Media on Youth’s Mental Health- A Study on College Students in and Around Kolkata

Sharma A1, Das R2, Ghosh K3, Adhikary S4*
DOI:10.54741/MJAR/5.6.2025.273

1 Anjali Sharma, B.Com (Hons.) Graduate, THK Jain College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

2 Riddhi Das, B.Com (Hons.) Graduate, THK Jain College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

3 Koena Ghosh, B.Com (Hons.) Graduate, THK Jain College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

4* Soumyatanu Adhikary, Assistant Professor and HOD, Department of Business Administration, THK Jain College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

The use of social media has become an integral part of the youth's culture, shaping their behavior, interactions and mental wellbeing. This research explores the connection between social media and mental health among the youth based on data collected from 100 students across different Colleges and Universities in Kolkata. Using a judgement free sampling approach, responses were gathered through Google Forms to examine how excessive social media usage influences mental health, mood swings and depression among youth contributing to their overall mental health.
The study uncovers a significant connection between drawn-out social media engagement and increased pressure, motivated by elements such as depression, loneliness, lost sleep, and low self-esteem. The study offers useful strategies for encouraging a more harmonious interaction with social media. These findings add to the growing conversation about stress management and mental health in the digital age which should be promptly followed to absorb the positive side of the new and growing digital age. A better balance between online connections and mental health can be achieved by fostering mindful involvement and advocating for digital wellness techniques.

Keywords: mental sickness, social media effect, depression, low self-esteem, emotional instability

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Soumyatanu Adhikary, Assistant Professor and HOD, Department of Business Administration, THK Jain College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Email: 		Sharma A, Das R, Ghosh K, Adhikary S, The Footprint of Social Media on Youth’s Mental Health- A Study on College Students in and Around Kolkata. Manag J Adv Res. 2025;5(6):76-80.
Available From
https://mjar.singhpublication.com/index.php/ojs/article/view/273

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-11-17 2025-12-04 2025-12-22
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 4.65

© 2025 by Sharma A, Das R, Ghosh K, Adhikary S and Published by Singh Publication. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Download PDFBack To Article1. Introduction2. Theoritical
Framework3. Research
Objective4. Research
Methodology5. Findings6. ConclusionReferences
Sharma A, et al. The Footprint of Social Media on Youth’s Mental Health

1. Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the digital age, social media has emerged as a dominant force in shaping the lifestyles, communication patterns, and psychological well-being of today’s youth. While these platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for connection, expression, and information exchange, they also present complex challenges that can impact mental health. This study explores the intricate relationship between social media usage and the mental well-being of young individuals, with a specific focus on students from various colleges and universities in Kolkata. Drawing from data collected through a judgment-free sampling method using Google Forms, the research highlights how prolonged and excessive engagement with social media correlates with symptoms of depression, emotional instability, low self-esteem, and disrupted sleep patterns. The findings underscore the urgent need to cultivate digital mindfulness and promote healthy online behaviors. By advocating for balanced and informed usage, this work contributes meaningfully to the ongoing discourse on mental health in the digital era.

2. Theoritical Framework

The theoretical framework provides a foundation for understanding the impact of social media on the mental health of youth, particularly college students. This study draws on the following psychological and sociological theories:

1. Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954)

This theory suggests that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. Social media platforms amplify opportunities for comparison, often leading youth to evaluate themselves against idealized portrayals of peers, influencing self-esteem and emotional well-being.

2. Uses and Gratifications Theory (Blumler & Katz, 1974)

This theory explains how individuals actively seek out media to satisfy specific needs such as entertainment, social interaction, and self-expression. For college students, social media serves as a tool for validation, identity formation, and community belonging, which can have both positive and negative mental health consequences.

3. Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger, 1957)

College students may experience internal conflict when their real-life experiences don't align with their curated social media identities, potentially leading to stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms.

3. Research Objective

1. Examination of the link between social media and emotional instability
This research explores the correlation between social media usage and emotional instability, focusing on patterns of anxiety, mood swings, and low self-esteem. Social platforms often expose users to idealized images and constant social comparison, which can trigger emotional fluctuations. This study also considers the role of addictive behavior and online validation in shaping emotional responses.

2. Connection between social media addiction and depression
Social media addiction has been linked to increased levels of depression, particularly due to excessive screen time, disrupted sleep, and negative social comparisons. Exposure to curated online lives can lower self-esteem and heighten feelings of loneliness and inadequacy.

3. To analyze excessive exposure to social comparison affects self-esteem
Excessive exposure to social comparison on social media often leads individuals to evaluate themselves against idealized portrayals of others, which can diminish self-esteem. The continuous comparison can foster feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one's own life and appearance.

4. Explore the impact of social media on sleep patterns
Social media use, especially before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns by delaying sleep onset and reducing overall sleep quality. The blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production, while engaging content can lead to overstimulation and difficulty falling asleep.

5. Analyze the impact on loneliness
While social media can offer connection, excessive use is often associated with increased feelings of loneliness.


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Sharma A, et al. The Footprint of Social Media on Youth’s Mental Health

Passive scrolling and lack of meaningful interactions may lead to social isolation and a perceived gap between online and real-life relationships.

6. Examine the potential for social media as a tool for mental health awareness
The social media holds significant potential as a tool for mental health awareness by providing platforms for education, support communities, and destigmatization.

4. Research Methodology

Research Design:
This study employs a quantitative descriptive research design using a survey method. It allows the collection of standardized data from a broad population to analyze trends and correlations.

Sampling Technique:
Stratified random sampling to ensure representation across gender, academic disciplines, and institution types (public/private).

Data Collection Methods:
Primary Data: Structured questionnaire distributed online through Google forms.

Tools for Analysis:
Statistical Software: Google form or Microsoft Excel for data tabulation and analysis.

Descriptive Statistics (mean, frequency, percentage):
Pie charts and bar graphs

Ethical Considerations:

  • Informed consent from all participants.
  • Anonymity and confidentiality maintained.
  • Participation is voluntary, with the right to withdraw at any stage.
  • The study complies with ethical standards of human subject research.
SAMPLE POPULATIONSAMLE SIZE
Age group:18-25
College students of in and around Kolkata.		80-85

5. Findings

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6. Conclusion

The study indicates that excessive use of social media often leads to depression,


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increased feelings of isolation and dependency on online validation. Constant Comparison and pressure to present a perfect digital image causes self-doubt and low self-esteem.

Comparative findings shows that users who are highly engaged with online platforms are more vulnerable to emotional distress. Therefore, promoting digital literacy and proper usage techniques for social media is crucial in improving and protecting psychological well-being of today's youth in digital era.

Recommendations

1. Encourage Screen Time Limits -

Limiting screen time helps children and teens develop healthier digital habits. It encourages them to engage in physical activities, hobbies, and real-world experiences. Parents and educators can set schedules and use digital well-being tools to monitor usage. This balance supports mental and emotional development.

2. Foster Real-Life Social Connections -

Face-to-face interactions build empathy, communication skills, and stronger relationships. Encouraging group activities, sports, or community events helps reduce reliance on virtual connections. Real-world connections are essential for emotional support and long-term mental health. They also help individuals build confidence and social competence.

3. Raise Awareness About Social Comparison -

Social media often promotes idealized versions of life, leading to negative self-image and low self-esteem. Teaching young users to critically evaluate what they see online can reduce feelings of inadequacy. Open discussions about authenticity and self-worth can empower users to value their own unique experiences. This helps create a healthier online environment.

4. Implement Age-Restricted Logins and Verification-

Age restrictions help protect children from inappropriate content and online risks. Platforms should use secure age verification methods to enforce access limits. This ensures that content and interactions are suitable for a user's developmental stage. It also supports digital safety and responsible internet use.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563216301728

2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563220303927

3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563221003113

4. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3392

5. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3392

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