The Dark Side of Social Media: How Online Networks Impact Student Mental Health

Abstract

Research Question: Impact of online social network on student’s mental heath Introduction The increasing online social networking is attributed to the advancing technology. Everyone wish to be up-to-date when it comes to the growing technological advances thus students tend to remain glued to social networking platforms for interactions, communication and research. Unfortunately, other that gaining the benefits associate with the growing technology, they also become victims of the negativities associated with addictions. Online social networking is addictive and just like any other form of addiction; student’s mental stability becomes compromised. In this study, the need to examine the extent of damage that online social networking has on students mental health will shed light on whether to embrace continued use of this technology or impose measures to ensure controls. To this effect, this study will use mixed methods methodology to examine how online social network impact student’s mental health and offer directives on way forward. My first concept is analyzing the negative effects that social networking has on mental health. In all the four sources, it is open that online social networking has adverse on mental health. While addressing this issue, Schønning et al. (2020) argued that as much as social networking offer a certain level of pleasure and satisfaction to the users, it adversely affect their mental well being due to addictions that make such users enslaved to the technology. Most students cannot survive without glancing on their phones, laptops among other forms of devices that can lead them to social networks and such practices affect their mental stability. On the other hand, Deepa et al. (2020) offer great concerns on how students and adolescents mental health proves sensitive as with growth some youths potentials to make logical decisions proves a challenge. To this effect, engaging in social networks proves a threat as many have limited ability to control how they use them thus endangering their mental well being. The other concept is the detrimental consequences of social networking on mental health. While analyzing mental health in students, Schønning et al. (2020) argues that there are lesser discrepancies in the nature of these effects thus any user becomes vulnerable to the adverse effects. While it is open that technology enhances smooth approach to many life demands, ut also becomes a threat when one becomes so used to it. Since student feel at peace and ease while enjoying their freedom and independence during their college or university life away from parents, engaging in uncontrollable technologically-driven platform proves a danger than being dependant to parent authority. Sadness, anxiety among other pressures that align with online social networking do more damage to these student’s mind thus the need to reconsider interventions...