NEGATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON YOUTH

Abstract

Social media plays a significant role in the lives of people, remarkably the youth, who are the most affected and vulnerable to its influence. The internet has become an integral part of their daily routines, making it challenging to suggest a time limit for its use since it's so usually utilized. While social media serves valuable purposes in society, it's essential to acknowledge its negative impact on young individuals. Excessive internet usage can lead to psychological disorders among youth, impacting their sexuality, sense of identity, and physical development. Furthermore, internet interaction has contributed to the isolation of young people, significantly affecting their mental well-being and causing significant lifestyle changes, both negative and positive. This paper focuses on discussing the adverse psychological effects of social media on the youth, particularly those who spend a significant portion of their day on these platforms. As per the report by the Global Web Index in 2018 revealed that the average young person spends approximately three hours on social media daily. In light of this report, spending more than three hours a day on social media is associated with a higher risk of developing psychological problems.