SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION A STUDY OF USAGE PATTERNS AND MENTAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
Abstract
Social media addition has become a growing Concern in recent years with millions of people worldwide spending excessive amount of time on social media platforms. This study investigates the usage patterns and mental health implications of social media addiction such as increase feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness. This study anchored on uses and gratification theory of mass media. The study adopts a Survey research design and the instrument of data Collection is questionnaire. Findings show that social media addiction is a growing concern, with significant number of people experiencing addiction. The findings also shows that excessive social media use associated with negative mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. From the findings, the study highlights the need for intervention strategies to prevent and treat social media addiction as well as to promote healthy social media use habits. Social media addiction, can have negative effects on daily life, such as decreased productivity, decreased face to face social interactions and decreased physical activity.
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