Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The research project aims to investigate the impact of social media on mental health among adolescents. In the contemporary era, social media has become an integral part of the daily lives of adolescents. While social media offers numerous opportunities for communication, networking, and self-expression, there is growing concern about its potential negative effects on mental health, particularly among young people. This study seeks to explore the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and body image issues. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on adolescents' social media usage patterns, perceived benefits, and negative experiences. The quantitative surveys will assess the frequency and duration of social media use, the platforms most commonly used, and the perceived impact on mental health. Additionally, standardized measures will be used to assess mental health indicators such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and body image concerns. Qualitative interviews will provide in-depth insights into adolescents' experiences with social media, including the positive aspects such as social support, self-expression, and community building, as well as the negative aspects such as cyberbullying, social comparison, and FOMO (fear of missing out). By triangulating the data from both quantitative and qualitative sources, this study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes among adolescents. The findings of this research project are expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the impact of social media on mental health and inform interventions and policies aimed at promoting positive mental health outcomes among adolescents. By identifying the factors that contribute to both positive and negative experiences with social media, this study seeks to provide insights that can guide the development of strategies to maximize the benefits of social media use while minimizing its potential harms on adolescents' mental well-being.

Thesis Overview