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VOL. 2, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Impact of social media platforms on mental health of young people in selected cities in South East Nigeria
Authors
Dr. Ajagbo Blessing Chinenye, Dr. Ezeh Sabastin Chuks, Dr. Aguchibe Uche
Abstract
The rapid expansion
of social media has transformed communication, social interaction,
entertainment, information seeking, and identity formation among young people.
Despite its numerous benefits, concerns have intensified regarding the
potential adverse effects of excessive and problematic social media use on
psychological well-being. This study examined the impact of social media
platform use on the mental health of young people in selected cities in South
East Nigeria, with particular attention to the mediating roles of social
comparison, social media addiction, sleep disruption, and cyberbullying
experiences. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional research design
and targeted young people aged 15–35 years in Enugu, Owerri, Aba, Awka, and
Abakaliki. A sample of 800 respondents was proportionately distributed across
the five cities. Social media exposure was assessed using daily social media
hours and frequency of TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp
use, while problematic social media engagement was assessed with indicators
adapted from the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Mental health outcomes
were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depressive symptoms,
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale for anxiety, Perceived Stress Scale, and a
composite Mental Health Index. Social comparison, cyberbullying exposure, and
sleep disruption were also assessed as potential explanatory pathways. Data
were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple
regression, and parallel mediation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 4 with
5,000 bootstrap samples. The analytical pattern indicated that greater social
media exposure was associated with poorer psychological outcomes. Daily social
media use demonstrated a positive relationship with depressive symptoms, while
social media addiction showed a particularly strong association with anxiety.
Higher overall social media intensity was also associated with greater social
comparison, sleep disruption, and addictive-use tendencies, which in turn
predicted lower scores on the Mental Health Index. The mediation model suggested
that the relationship between intensive social media engagement and poorer
mental health operated substantially through social comparison, problematic
use, and disrupted sleep. Cyberbullying exposure constituted an additional
psychological risk factor among affected respondents. The study concludes that
the relationship between social media and youth mental health in South East
Nigeria is influenced not merely by access to social media but by the
intensity, pattern, purpose, and psychological consequences of its use.
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Pages:9-14
How to cite this article:
Dr. Ajagbo Blessing Chinenye, Dr. Ezeh Sabastin Chuks, Dr. Aguchibe Uche "Impact of social media platforms on mental health of young people in selected cities in South East Nigeria". World Journal of Current Science, Vol 2, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 9-14
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