Examining the relation of social networks with psychological wellbeing: Case study of young adults in Pakistan
Abstract
The present research looks at the effects that social networks use has on the mental health of young users aged between 18 and 25 in the case of Pakistan. Given that social networking sites are becoming more prevalent in the country, there is a growing concern regarding the adverse effects of these sites on the youth. The interviews have been conducted to examine the effects of social networking sites on mental health among the rural and urban population of Pakistan. This study highlights several problems such as social comparison, cyberbullying, sleep disorders, and social media benefits. Social comparison is an issue that social media elevates, as many young adults see posts of others living their desirable lives, wishing to live the same. Trying to live up to such expectations creates pressure within the youth, leading to feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Another issue is cyberbullying, which is harassment that many young adults experience online, which further affects their psychosocial well-being. The study also shows that social media use, mainly the ones used late at night, does result in sleep disturbances and higher stress levels, mainly attributed to Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). However, social media is helpful for adolescents. In many young adults, social media allows the sensation of existence, offers supportive speech, and is even helpful for self-presentation. Some of them also pointed to the reasons why they use social networks: they like to communicate with people who think alike or look for content related to mental disorders, which makes them feel not so lonely. Nonetheless, in the research, the Pakistani cultural environment is equally valid, where self-esteem, honor, and social recognition count more. Even these cultural frameworks may be of greater interest than learning about young people’s use of social media networks and how this social networking shapes the adolescent youths’ approach to mental health and how they connect with their peers virtually. More crucially, the findings of this study improve our understanding of the threats and positioning of social networks as well as making suggestions on how the social network misuse can be managed. The research attempts to raise these issues in order to alleviate the harmful effects of social media but also enhance its positive role among the mental health of Pakistan’s youth.
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