Impact of social media use on youth

This paper reviews the mental health impacts of social media on youth, defined by the World Youth Report as individuals aged 15 to 24 within the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, and Snapchat have become extremely important to how youth interact; however, social media has been proven to have both positive and negative impacts on their mental wellbeing. This systematic review examined qualitative studies that sought to explore the relationship between the usage of social media and its mental health repercussions, particularly anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. The review combines findings from previous qualitative research, identifies key themes, and provides recommendations for mental health interventions for youth who use social media. Data collection involved meta-analysis of various qualitative approaches, such as interviews and focus groups, providing a deep understanding of the experiences and perspectives of youth and key informants, including parents and mental health professionals. This review paper aims to highlight areas of concern, formulate or enforce strategies that will result in healthier social media usage, offer valuable information for educators and mental health practitioners, and assist policymakers in establishing policies that seek to promote healthier social media usage.