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Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences logoLink to Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences
. 2024 Jul 31;16(Suppl 3):S2868–S2870. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_560_24

A Descriptive Study to Assess the Impact of Social Media Platforms on Mental Well Being among College Student at Selected College in Chennai

M Kavitha 1,, P Lokesh 1, B Sridevi 2, D Deepika 2, C Muthulakshmi 3
PMCID: PMC11426739  PMID: 39346187

ABSTRACT

Social media has become an integrated part of daily life, with an estimated 3 billion social media users worldwide. The purpose of current study was to investigate to assess the impact of social media platforms on mental wellbeing among college student at selected college. A descriptive research design was used a study the Impact of social media Plat forms on mental wellbeing among college students. After obtaining the Institutional ethical approval, the investigator selected 300 samples by using randomized Sampling Technique. The samples who met the inclusion criteria were selected the study participants and obtained the written informed consent.

KEYWORDS: Impact, mental wellbeing, platform, social media

INTRODUCTION

Social media has revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the web. Some negative effects such as cyber bullying, privacy, and fake news.[1,2] Social media has become an integrated part of daily life, with an estimated 3 billion social media users worldwide[3] Positive Impacts of social media The Power of Social Media is that; it forces Necessary Change. It is generally agreed that social media provided crucial source of news during the Arab Spring.[4,5]

Negative Effects of social impacts Technology is double-edged. Social media has various negative impacts like privacy issues, information overloads and internet fraud.[6] Researchers have found that hyper-networking leads to negative health behavior leading to laziness, obesity, depression, drug abuse, isolation or in the worst cases it may even lead to suicide.[7] Social media has made the world a small space by allowing mass cultural exchange and intercultural communication.[8] Therefore, the objectives of current study to assess the Social Media platform among College Students, to assess the Impact of Social media platform on mental well-being among college students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study design

The study adopted quantitative research approach and descriptive research design was used. The sample size of the study was 300 students who were selected by using randomized sampling technique and who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The investigator introduced and explained the purposes of the study to the samples and obtained the written informed consent. The tool consists of like demographic variables, Psychiatric clinical variables related questionnaires. The data collection was done in Saveetha College of nursing, Chennai. The collected data were coded then descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

Informed consent

The purpose of study was explained clearly in-depth to each of the study participant and a written informed consent was obtained.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Section A: Description of the demographic variables

With regards to the demographic characteristics were in the age group 17-18 years while 21.6% (65) of the participants were in the age group 19-20 years, 20% (60) of the participants were in the age group 21-22 years and 28% (86) of the participants were in age group 22-23 years. The majority of the respondents have been male students 57.6% (173) and female were 42.3% (127). Level of educate 33.3% (100) were 1st year, 15% (45) were 2nd year, 29% (87) were 3rd year and 22.6% (68) were 4th year. Money spend on internet 32.6% (68) were Less than 500 rupees, 40.6% (122) were 500-1000 rupees and 26.6% (80) were More than 1000 rupees. Types of phone used 46.3% (130) were android, 21.3% (64) were IOS 2% (6) were button phone and 33.3% (100) were windows.

Section-B Assessment of social media platforms on mental well being among college students

From table 1, it shows the assessment of the social media platform. 27.3% (82) students were used youtube frequenty, 78.3% (235) were more than 2 hours frequency of phone usage.70% (210) of students log on to social networking sites every day.

Table 1.

Frequency and percentage distribution of social media platform among college students

Assessment the Social Media Platform Frequency (f) Percentage (%)
Type of media used frequently
 WhatsApp 59 19.6
 Facebook 18 6
 YouTube 82 27.3
 Instagram 71 23.6
 Snap chat 49 16.3
 Twitter 11 3.6
 Telegram 10 3.3
Frequency of phone usage
 <2 h 65 21.6
 >2 h 235 78.3
How often you log on to social network area
 Everyday 210 70
 Alternate days 65 21.6
 Once in a week 19 6.3
 Once in a month 6 2

Section-C assessment of impact of social media platforms on mental well being among college students

Table 2 shows that the assessment of the impact of social media platforms on mental well-being 73.6% (221) had Poor sleep, 63% (189) had eye fatigue, and 72.6% (221) had no anxiety 57.6% (173) had cyber bullying, 70% (210) had Depression, and 76.6% (230) had loneliness 51.3% (154) had Self- harm, 71% (213) had Suicidal thoughts, and 55.3% (166) had no self- esteem or body image issues. 60.6% (182) had a false sense of connection, 78% (234) had Social media addiction, and 55% (165) had a lack of confidence. The student’s response to the question about social media addiction. Where 22% (66) students said no, where as 78% (234) students said yes.

Table 2.

Frequency and percentage distribution of impact of social media platform on mental wellbeing among college students

Impact of Social Media Platform on Mental Well Being Yes No


F % F %
Poor sleep 221 73.6 79 26.3
Eye fatigue 189 63 111 27
Anxiety 76 25.3 224 72.6
Cyber bulling 173 57.6 127 42.3
Depression 210 70 90 30
Loneliness 230 76.6 70 23.3
Self- harm 154 51.3 146 48.6
Suicidal thoughts 87 29 213 71
Self-esteem and body image issues 134 44.6 166 55.3
False sense of connection 182 60.6 118 39.3
Social media addiction 234 78 66 22
Lack of confidence 165 55 135 45

The findings of the study were consistent with the findings of the study conducted by Mohd Tariq (2020) to assess the Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health Social media has become a vital part of modern society., This study aims to raise awareness among students about the positive and negative impacts of social media on mental well-being, encouraging a balanced approach.

CONCLUSION

There will be relationship between prevalence and risk factor of mental illness for using social media among college student was accepted, as we conclude, it is evident that social media’s influence on mental well-being is substantial. To ensure a balanced and healthier digital society, it is imperative that individuals, educators, and policymakers take proactive steps to promote responsible social media use. By encouraging awareness, setting limits, and fostering a culture of digital mindfulness, in doing so, we can aim for a future where technology complements our lives without compromising our mental and emotional well-being.

Ethical approval

Got approval from Ethical committee of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical sciences.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to appreciate all the study participants for their co-operation to complete the study successful.

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