The Aftermath of Selected Social Media on the Mental Health of Selected Adolescents in Sharjah: A Psychological Approach

Abstract

This research investigates the side effects of selected social media platforms on adolescents in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, through using hybrid methodology, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews provides in-depth information from a purposive sample of adolescents aged 13 to 18 attending different schools in Sharjah. The quantitative part of the study measures social media usage, emotional reaction, and self-perception. Social media platforms Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook offer adolescents a wealth of social interaction, but their use generates certain expectations that need to be captured in qualitative interviews. This research measures the primary indicators of mental health that concern the general level of anxiety and depression experienced by the respondents, the disruption of sleep patterns, and the self-esteem of the respondents in relation to their online activities. Results indicate that the overwhelming majority of adolescents report feelings of social media-induced stress, sadness, and anxiety, particularly linked to Instagram and Snapchat as central in social value marking and plunging comparison. Over three-quarters of respondents reported comparing their social status with their peers online undermining their self-confidence and distorting their perception of themselves. Noting along with the risks, several participants acknowledged self-expression and social interaction to be favorable social media aspects. Having captured social media’s multifaceted impact, the study seeks to educate parents, social workers, and teachers and urges them to adopt media literacy frameworks and programs that enhance adolescent welfare in Sharjah and other regions.