Social Media Use on Mental Health Outcomes among Adolescents and Young Adults in Port Harcourt City

Abstract

Social media is embedded in the lives of adolescents and young adults globally, raising urgent questions about its impact on mental health. Recent evidence indicates a complex relationship between digital engagement and psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. This study empirically examined these associations. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 adolescents and young adults (aged 13–24, balanced by gender and socioeconomic status), measuring daily social media usage, depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and sleep quality (PSQI). The analysis focused on both the duration and patterns of use, with regression models adjusted for demographic factors. The average social media use was 4.5 hours per day (SD=2.0). Heavy users (≥4 hours/day) showed higher rates of moderate-to-severe depression (38% vs. 19%) and anxiety (36% vs. 18%), as well as poorer sleep quality (63% vs. 35%) compared to lighter users (<4 hours/day). Problematic use, nighttime activity, and passive consumption emerged as the strongest predictors of adverse outcomes. Regression analysis indicated that daily social media use independently predicted increased depression, anxiety, and disturbed sleep, even after controlling for other variables. The study concludes that higher and problematic social media engagement is strongly associated with increased depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality among youth. Findings highlight the urgent need for evidence-based digital literacy, psychosocial interventions, and platform-level policy reforms.