The Emotional Impact of Social Media in Higher Education

Abstract

College and university students have been observed increasing their usage of social media applications as it has become central to everyday life. Students can use different forms of social media to connect, share, and view a myriad of content. When influenced by posts, social media can have a significant impact on their lives. Social media can be a form of social support, but it can also have a negative effect on mental health. With the increase in use, social media can provoke individuals to begin self-comparing or gain an unrealistic expectation of themselves and other individuals. This can lead to lower self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. This exploratory study attempts to determine the relationship between social media use and its impact on depression, anxiety, and stress amongst students in higher education.