The Influence of Social Media on Young People: On Digital Addiction and Its Psychological Implications

This paper summarizes recent survey findings with previous psychological research to analyze the usage of social networking platforms in daily life and its implications for digital hygiene, self-regulation, and mental well-being. The study is particularly focused on populations susceptible to digital dependency, such as the young people. The analysis reveals a strong tendency towards immediate and frequent social media engagement upon waking and before tasks, alongside a complex emotional landscape ranging from mood enhancement to feelings of sadness and irritability upon disconnection. Furthermore, a significant portion of the surveyed population demonstrates a struggle with controlling their social media use, including failed attempts at cessation and the prioritization of digital engagement over essential life functions like sleep. Furthermore, the study employed the Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS) among 246 young adult respondents, revealing challenges with self-regulation and behavioral control. These findings collectively suggest a concerning trend of digital dependency, echoing warnings from researchers regarding attention degradation, compulsive usage, and the exploitation of psychological vulnerabilities by digital platforms.