CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background Of The Study

Human beings are social creatures that require the companionship of others to make progress in
life. Thus, being socially connected with other people can relieve stress, anxiety, and sadness,
but lack of social connection can pose serious risks to mental health.

Social media, which is also referred to as social networking, has become the most widely used
method of communication and interaction among individuals of all ages across the globe as a
result of ongoing technological progress. A variety of technological platforms, including
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tumblr, and others, facilitate communication and the
exchange of content via social media (Huang and Andreas Kaplan 2022)

Recent studies have found that frequent social network users believe that other users are happier
and more successful than they are, especially when they do not know them very well in real life.
Social media facilitates an environment in which people are comparing their realistic offline
selves to the flawless, filtered, and edited online versions of others, which can be detrimental to
mental well-being and perception of self. Excessive social media use can not only cause
unhappiness and general dissatisfaction with life in users but also increase the risk of developing
mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Constantly comparing oneself to others can
lead to feelings of self-consciousness or a need for perfectionism and order, which often
manifests as social anxiety disorder.

The use of social media is accompanied by several advantages. The benefits encompass a range
of initiatives, such as fostering mental health awareness and destigmatization, providing
supplementary access to resources, and facilitating a platform for users to connect about their
mental health symptoms (Lattie et al., 2019). Furthermore, social media has the potential to
function as a constructive platform for mitigating the obstacles that people from various contexts
may encounter when coping with a mental health diagnosis (Andrews et al., 2018). On the
contrary, numerous studies in the literature establish a correlation between the utilization of
social media and a range of psychiatric disorders—such as anxiety, depression, and diminished
self-esteem (Lin et al., 2016; Pantic, 2014). Social media users may be subjected to harassment,
humiliation, and adverse reactions in response to their content. Furthermore, the comparison of
one's life satisfaction and self-image to that of other users may cause distress for these
individuals (Belluomini, 2015). Moreover, negative social media behaviors, such as browsing
through negative content, can lead to mood swings, depression, and social isolation (Belluomini,
2015).

Given the exponential growth of social media usage in the past decade, it is critical to evaluate
the potential psychological repercussions of social media. Concerning the mental health
repercussions of social media, mental health professionals have thus far taken minimal action.
Furthermore, the knowledge and readiness of mental health clinicians to address the detrimental
effects of excessive social media usage on their clients' mental well-being have been the subject
of scant investigation.

The substantial increase in mental health symptoms caused by social media's influence on mental
health complicates the provision of social services at the micro level. As an increasing number of
social media users present with symptoms such as anxiety, melancholy, and low self-esteem,
there is a corresponding demand for more service providers. Providers of mental health services
must be cognizant of the influence of social media on mental health to assist those impacted by
this matter more effectively. Additional training is also required to address the assessment of
social media use and its potential mental health consequences. A greater comprehension of the
consequences of social media usage will result in treatment for clients that is more efficient and
effective.(Panttic, 2014; Lin et al., 2016s).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Although the increase in social media usage is indisputable, the effects of frequent use are the
subject of numerous contradictory opinions. From an optimistic standpoint, Levy (2015) asserts
that social media participation aids in the development of critical knowledge and social skills in
adolescents and motivates them to become engaged members of society who generate and
distribute content. This is corroborated by the claim that social validation, such as that which
social media platforms offer, is a vital element in the life of an individual (Miller, 2018). Sutton
(2013) posits that individuals who engage in regular updates to their social media profiles
purportedly observe a rise in self-awareness and self-esteem.

Nevertheless, there is growing support for the notion that excessive utilization of these platforms
could be detrimental to one's mental health because an intense immersion in the digital world can
induce depression in certain users (Nyasaland, Grande, Brenner, & Elwy, 2014). This
underscores the necessity for a more comprehensive comprehension of how this ubiquitous
social media usage impacts the mental health and overall well-being of individuals.
1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study's main goal is to examine The Influence of social media addiction on mental health in
Nigeria, using youths in Nguru town Yobe state as a case study. The study specifically attempted
to:

i. Determine the extent of social media addiction among youths in Nguru town
ii. Determine whether there is a significant relationship between social media addiction and
the mental health of youths in Nguru town
iii. To identify factors contributing to social media addiction among youths.
iv. To assess the mental health status of youths who are addicted to social media.
v. To examine the prevalence of social media addiction among youths in Nguru town.

1.4 Research Questions:

i. The study will be guided by the following research questions;

1.5 Research Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between social media addiction and the mental health of
youths.

There is a significant relationship between social media addiction and the mental health of
youths.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The significance of the proposed study stems from the paucity of research on the responses of
mental health professionals to the Influence of increased social media use on mental health. As a
result of the observation of a technological society, the mental health effects of excessive social
media use on clients have come into question. In light of the ongoing transition towards a digital
society, mental health professionals must be equipped to assess clients for potential adverse
consequences associated with excessive use of social media. The implications of the study's
results for the social services sector will be evident as they pinpoint deficiencies in treatment
planning, assessment, and service delivery concerning the influence of social media on mental
well-being. A clinician's approach to assessing the client's concerns and devising a treatment
plan to address treatment objectives may be revised in light of the findings. While the primary
focus of this research is the micro-level (specifically, the interaction between clinicians and
clients), the results could potentially have a broader impact on social service provision by
prompting the revision of policies and accessibility measures concerning social media platforms.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study borders on social media addiction and its influence on mental health in
Nguru town.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavor, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out
the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the
relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet,
questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of
sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other
academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Influence: The power to change or affect someone or something.

Social media addiction: is an addiction in which a person engages in the compulsive and
excessive use of social media.

Mental health: a person's condition concerning their psychological and emotional well-being.

Haenlein, Michael, Ming-Hui Huang and Andreas Kaplan (2022): Guest Editorial: Business
Ethics in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, Journal of Business Ethics, 178 (4): 867-869.