RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AND DEPRESSION AMONG TEENAGERS

Psychology and mental health

As global scenario is changing due to faster connectivity, the presence on social networking sites is more in all age groups. However, for the specific age group between 13 to 19, the uses of Social Media are extravagant. This particular age group, as we prefer to call the teenagers. They are also going through a transition stage of psychological and physical development called adolescence. In adolescence, teenagers are more prone to addictions due to ongoing changes in their personalities. In the present work, we have analyzed the connection between depression and use of social media associated with many factors. The teenage group can easily be influenced by their peers. Social media can influence the psychology of teenagers as it leads to dopamine release in the brain of an individual, which is a feel-good hormone. Which afterward converted into dependence on social media to get that same euphoric effect which eventually ended up in social media addiction. Teenagers' mental health may be affected by social media addiction as they are dependent prominently on connectivity through social networking sites. The disturbance in mental health results in depression among teenagers. Depression among teenagers affects their personal life, studies, and relationships with family members. Various factors are discussed that leads to the conclusion that social media addiction among teenagers is due to anxiety over missing out, emotional distress, peer pressure from others. Addiction to social media and sadness in young people specially teenagers is prominent, which is affecting the overall health of teenagers. The preventive measures should be used to minimize the exposure of teenagers to social media, which eventually reduces overuse and dependence on social media to decrease the incident of developing depression like conditions in teenagers. Parental control and assistance over the social media is needed while using. The positive approach to use social media and internet is provided through educational initiatives.

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