MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION FOR

WOMEN, KOTTAYAM

A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ON THE

MENTAL HEALTH OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

B.Ed Programme 2023-2025

Project Submitted to the

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for theAward of Degree of

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION

By

ANJALA PHILIP

Reg. No. 233240114514

Under the guidance and Supervision of

DR. MANJU JOSEPH

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

 DECLARATION
I, Anjala Philip, do hereby declare that this project titled 'A Study on the
Influence of Social Media Usage on the Mental Health of Secondary
School Students' has been submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the Bachelor Degree of Education under the supervision
and guidance of Dr.Manju Joseph, Assistant Professor in Social Science
Education, Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education for Women,
Kottayam.

I also declare that this is my original work and has not been submitted to
any other university or institution for the award of any degree or diploma.

Place: Kottayam Anjala Philip

Date: (Reg. No: 233240114514)
B.Ed. Student,
Mount Carmel College of Teacher
Education for Women, Kottayam
 CERTIFICATE

I, Dr. Manju Joseph, Assistant Professor, Mount Carmel College of

Teacher Education for Women, Kottayam do hereby certify that this
project entitled ' A Study on the Influence of Social Media Usage on
the Mental Health of Secondary School Students' is a bonafide record of
research work carried out by Anjala Philip, during the academic year
2023-2025 under my supervision and guidance.

Place: Kottayam Dr. Manju Joseph

Date: Assistant Professor,
Mount Carmel College of
Teacher Education for Women,
Kottayam
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I bow in gratitude to the Almighty for his abundant
blessings, guidance, and grace, which made this project possible.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to my guide, Dr.Manju Joseph, Assistant

Professor,Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education For Women,
Kottayam for her expert guidance, valuable insights, and constant
support throughout this project. Her encouragement and constructive
feedback have been pivotal to its successful completion.

I am deeply grateful to Prof.Dr.Suma Joseph, Principal, Mount Carmel

College of Teacher Education For Women, Kottayam and I also wish to
express my sincere gratitude to all the teachers and staff members for
their support, cooperation and encouragement during this journey.

A special thanks to the students who actively participated and

contributed to the success of this project and to my parents and
colleagues, whose unwavering support, motivation and understanding
have been my pillars of strength.

Place: Kottayam Anjala Philip

Date:
CONTENTS
SL.NO TITLE PAGE.NO

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.2 NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.4 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

1.5 OBJECTIVES

1.6 METHODOLOGY

1.7 DATA COLLECTION

1.8 ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION

1.9 FINDINGS

1.10 CONCLUSION

1.11 REFERENCES

1.12 APPENDICES
 INTRODUCTION

Social Media is a significant phenomenon in the 21st century because

it is a part of many people’s daily lives. The term is used to describe
various networking instruments and technologies that use the internet
as a tool for communication, collaboration and creative expression ( Van
Dijck, 2013). Social Media is defined by Goff (2013) as a set of
technologies and tools used to enable the formation of online
communities with the goal or productive collaboration and
communication. Social media has become an integral part of our daily
lives transforming the way we connect, communicate and share
information. However, concerns have been raised about the potential
impact of social media on mental health of students.

Mental health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is

a state of well-being in which an individual can realize their potential,
cope with normal life stresses, work productively and contribute to their
community. Mental Health is influenced by various factors, including
personal experiences, relationship and environmental influences. Among
adolescents, Mental Health is particularly significant, as this
developmental stage is marked by emotional, cognitive and social
changes. Social Media, as a significant part of their daily lives, plays a
complex role in shaping their mental health.

A 2022 survey of 13 to 17year old reveals that based on about 1,300

responses, the survey found that 35% of teens use at least one of five
social media platforms more than several times a day. The five social
media platforms are: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and
Snapchat.In a study focusing on 12 to 15 year old in the United States,
spending three hours a day using social media was linked to a higher
risk of mental health concerns. That study was based on data collected
in 2013 and 2014 from more than 6,500 participants. The researchers
found that using social media more than three times a day predicted
poor mental health and well-being in teens.But not all research has
found a link between time spent on social media and mental health risks
in teens. How teens use social media also might determine its impact.
For instance, viewing certain types of content may raise some teens
mental health risks. This could include content that depicts illegal acts
and self-harm or harm to other people. Being exposed to discrimination
and cyberbullying on social media also can raise the risk of anxiety or
depression.With the teenage brain, it's common to make a choice before
thinking it through. So, teens might post something when they're angry
or upset, and regret it later.

This project focuses on understanding the influence of Social Media

usage on the Mental Health of Secondary School Students. The study is
based on five critical factors: self-esteem, attention span and
concentration, body image and self-perception, stress and anxiety, and
academic performance. Each of these factors is deeply interconnected
with students social media usage and their overall mental well-being. By
analyzing these dimensions, the project seeks to uncover impacts of
Social Media on the adolescents.

The use of social media has significant effects on the mental health of
young people. For example, excessive use of social media like Instagram,
Facebook, etc can lead to addiction, anxiety, isolation, depression,
cyberbullying, self-harm, etc.The negative cycle of loneliness can also be
created due to its excessive use. The major impact of social media is
that it neglects offline relations, creates negative comparison with
others and distraction is often one of the symptoms caused due to the
excessive use of social media.

Good mental health is made possible by a supportive social network,

friendship and family environment, physical health which will help in
reducing stress and trauma. The steps to overcome this habit is
reducing online time, changing focus to meaningful interaction, spending
more time with parents in offline and expressing gratitude to others.
While virtual interaction does not replace face to face contact, yet it can
help in staying connected and in finding the right support. So, parents
can monitor and limit social media use, especially for the students by
addressing underlying problems and by educating on the realities of
social media and encourage offline activities.
1.2 NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The increasing use of Social Media among students has raised
significant concerns regarding its impact on mental health. While Social
Media offers various benefits, such as easy communication, access to
educational content and social connectivity, excessive usage has been
linked to issues like anxiety, depression, stress, and poor self-esteem.
Many students spend hours scrolling through content, often comparing
themselves to unrealistic portrayals of life, leading to feelings of
inadequacy and social pressure. Cyberbullying, online harassment, and
exposure to negative content further contribute to mental health
struggles. Additionally, the habit of constantly checking notifications and
messages disrupts sleep patterns, reduces attention spans, and affects
overall emotional well-being.

This study is significant in understanding how social media influences

students mental health and academic performance. As digital platforms
continue to shape student behavior, it is crucial to explore both the
positive and negative effects to create awareness and promote healthier
online habits. By analyzing patterns of social media use and their
psychological consequences, this research can help educators, parents,
and policymakers implement strategies that encourage responsible
digital consumption. The findings of this study can contribute to the
development of guidelines that balance social media engagement while
ensuring students mental well-being and academic success.

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The present study is intended to examine the relationship between
Social Media usage and its impact on the Mental Health of secondary
school students. With the increasing dependence on digital platforms for
communication, entertainment and academic purposes, concerns have
emerged regarding issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
among students. Many students are affected by cyberbullying, social
comparison, and the pressure to maintain an online presence, which can
negatively impact their emotional well-being and academic performance.
Hence, the study is entitled ' A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL
MEDIA USAGE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SECONDARY SCHOOL
STUDENTS'.
1.4 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
Social Media

Social media is a form of mass media communication on the internet

that allows users to share information, ideas, personal messages, and
other content.(Britannica,February 2025)

Mental Health

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of

mental, physical and social well being where a person can achieve their
potential is able to effectively contribute to the community, and can
handle the stresses of normal life.(World Health Organization)

Secondary School Students

Secondary school students refers to to students studying in eight, nine

and ten standards, following the Kerala State Board Curriculum.

1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

• To find the Influence of Social Media Usage on the Mental Health of
Secondary School Students.

1.6 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

This study employs a Descriptive Survey Method.The study focuses on
analyzing the Influence of Social Media Usage on Secondary School
Students self-esteem, attention span and concentration, body image and
self-perception, stress and anxiety and academic performance. The
rating scale helps assess students perceptions and experiences related
to these factors, providing insights into the overall impact of social
media on their mental health.The study uses the tool ‘Social Media
Usage and Influence.’

1.7 DATA COLLECTION

Data for this project was collected from 30 students of Standard 8 at
Mount Carmel H.S.S,Kottayam. A structured rating scale consisting of
15 questions was used to assess the influence of Social Social Media on
students Mental Health.
1.8 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Analysis and interpretation of data are crucial steps in the research

process. Data analysis involves examining and organizing collected
information to identify underlying patterns and meanings. It requires
breaking down complex factors into simpler components and
reorganizing them to achieve integration.Research findings gain
significance only after thorough analysis and interpretation.
Interpretation involves critically evaluating the results while considering
the limitations of data collection. In this study, the investigator explored
the Influence of Social Media on the Mental Health of Secondary School
Students. Data was gathered from 30 secondary school students using
the Stratified Random Sampling Technique.

The investigator used the Descriptive statistics for the analysis and
interpretation of the data. Descriptive statistics like Frequency
Distribution, Mean, Standard Deviation, Graphical representations were
used by the investigator to analyse the objective. After the analysis and
interpretation, findings and conclusion also have been drawn from the
study. The investigator has formulated objectives for the present study.
The investigator analysed and interpreted the data in accordance with
the following objectives.

•To find the influence of Social Media Usage on the Mental Health of
Secondary School Students.

The investigator used Mean, Standard Deviation and Graphical

Representation for the analysis of the objectives. In the present study,
the investigator attempted to study the Influence of Social Media on
Mental Health among Secondary School Students of Mount Carmel
H.S.S ,Kottayam by collecting data from 30 students of 8th standard
using the Stratified Random Sampling Technique.

1.8.1 Distribution of the scores on Influence of Social Media on the

Mental Health among Secondary School Students

The investigator formulated the first objective of the study as ‘To find
the Social Media Usage of Secondary School Students’. The data
needed for the analysis of the objective was obtained by administering a
tool titled ‘Social Media Influence on Mental Health ’ on 30 Secondary
School Students of Mount Carmel H.S.S, Kottayam.The investigator used
the Descriptive Statistics namely Frequency Distribution, Mean and
Standard Deviation for the analysis of the data pertaining to this
objective. The investigator explains Frequency Distribution of the scores
on Influence of Social Media among Higher Secondary School Students
in Table 1

Table 1

Frequency Distribution of the scores on Influence of Social Media

among Secondary School Students

Class Frequency Percentage

Interval

10-15 4 13.33

15-20 6 20.00

20-25 8 26.77

25-30 5 16.67

30-35 3 10.00

35-40 2 6.67

40-45 2 6.67

Total 30 100

From the Table 1 the investigator observes that the highest number of
frequencies i.e. 26.77% lies in the class interval 20-25. Only 6.67%
percentage lies in class interval 30-35 and 40-45.

From the Table 1 the investigator observes that out of 30 Secondary

School Students there are 4 or 13.33% of the students get the score
between 10-15. 6 or 20.00% of the students get the score between 15-20.
8 or 26.77% of the students get the score between 20-25. 5 or 16.67% of
the students get the score between 25-30, 3 or 10.00% of students get
the score between the class interval 35-40, and 2 or 6.67% of students
get the score between 30-35.2 or 6.67% of the students get the score
between 40-45.

The investigator presents a Histogram to show the scores on Influence

of Social Media on Mental Health for the total sample in the Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 1 Histogram showing the Frequency Distribution of scores on

Influence of Social Media on Mental Health among Secondary School
Students.

Figure 1 shows that the class interval of 20-25 has the highest number
of Frequency Distribution of Influence of Social Media on Mental Health
among Secondary School students. 8 students get the score between
the class interval 20-25.Thus the investigator concluded that majority of
the students got the score between 20-25 .

The Descriptive Statistics employed for the distribution of the scores on

Influence of Social Media on Mental Health among the Secondary
School Students presented in Table 2

Table 2

The Variable, Number, Mean, Standard Deviation, Maximum Score and

Minimum Score on Influence of Social Media on Mental Health.
 Variable N M SD Maximum Minimum
Score Score

Usage of 30 24.33 6.39 42 10

Social
Media

Table 2 shows that the Mean and Standard Deviation of the scores on
Influence of Social Media on Mental Health among Secondary School
students is 24.33 and 6.39 respectively. Maximum and minimum scores
obtain from the test is 42 and 10 respectively.

From the table the investigator interpreted and concluded that out of 45
marks, Maximum score obtained by the student was 42 and Minimum
score was 10.

Table 3

1.8.2 Classification of the total sample of the students based on

scores on Influence of Social Media Usage on Mental Health.

Variable Levels Range No. of Percentage

students %

Usage of High Above 31 4 13.33%

Social
Media

Average Between 31- 16 53.33%

18

Low Below 18 10 13.33%

Table 3 shows that the range above 31 is consider as students with High
Influence on Social Media on Mental Health, the range below 18 is
consider as students with Low influence and the range between 31and
18 are consider as students with Average influence of Social Media on
Mental Health.

Table 3 the investigator interprets that 4 students score above 31. They
constituting 13.33 percentage of total sample and possess High
Influence on Social Media.10 students score below 18 constituting 33.33
percentage of total sample, they possess Low influence on Social Media.
16 students score between 31and 18 . They possess Average influence
on Social Media that is 53.33 percentage of students of total sample.

Therefore the investigator concluded that the majority of the students,

16 or 53.33 percentage of total sample possess Average Influence on
Social Media. The investigator presents it in the Figure2

Figure 2 Pie diagram showing the percentage of the scores of Influence

of Social Media on Mental Health among Second School Students.
Figure 2

From the Figure 2 the investigator observes and interprets that the
13.33 percentage of students above 31 ,they have High Influence on
Social Media. There are 33.33 percentage of the students scored below
18, they have Low Influence on Social Media. There are 53.33%
percentage of students possess Average Influence on Social Media. It
reveals that most of the students of the total sample possess Average
Influence on Social Media on their Mental Health.
1.9 FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
•The majority of students (26.77%) scored within the 20–25 range,
indicating that most students fall in the mid-range category.

•No student scored below 10, showing that all students experienced
some level of Social Media Influence.

•The Mean score of Influence of Social Media Usage is 24.33 reflecting a

moderate overall impact on students’ mental health.

•The maximum score secured is 42 while the minimum score recorded

is 10 indicating a wide range of influence among students.

•The Standard Deviation of 6.39 suggests a moderate variation in

students’ responses, meaning the Influence of Social Media Usage is
not uniform.

•From the histogram it is evident that the highest bar corresponds to the
20–25 interval confirming that the most common influence level falls
within this range.

•13.33% of students belong to the high influence category (above 31

points), indicating a strong impact of Social Media on their Mental
Health.

•The majority (53.33%) of students belong to the average influence

category (31–18)points showing that social media has a moderate
effect on most students.

•10 students (33.33%) scored below 18, indicating a lower influence of

Social Media on their Mental Health.

•The variation in responses suggests that some students experience

high stress and distraction due to social media, while others manage
their usage better.

The findings suggest that while Social Media usage influences Mental
Health in different ways, its effects depend on individual usage patterns
and coping mechanisms.
1.10 CONCLUSION
Social Media refers to online platforms and applications that allow
individuals to create, share, and exchange content in real-time.
According to Britannica, Social Media encompasses websites and
applications designed to enable people to engage in virtual social
networking and communication. These platforms, including Instagram,
Facebook and Twitter, have revolutionized the way people interact,
providing opportunities for self-expression and connection across
geographical boundaries. However, their widespread use has raised
concerns about the psychological and social implications, particularly for
adolescents.

The study reveals that most students experience a moderate impact,

while some face significant challenges. The majority of students fall
within the average influence category indicating that social media plays
a role in their lives but does not drastically affect their well-being.
However, a considerable percentage of students experience a high
influence, reporting effects such as stress, anxiety, reduced
concentration, and self-esteem issues. On the other hand, a portion of
students reported minimal effects, suggesting that the impact of social
media varies based on individual usage habits.

The findings show that social media’s Influence is not uniform, as

students respond to it differently. While some students effectively
balance their usage without major negative effects, others struggle with
emotional and academic challenges due to excessive engagement. The
highest number of students fall in the lmid-range category, suggesting
that social media’s effects are more commonly moderate rather than
extreme. However, the presence of students in the high influence
category indicates that for some, social media significantly affects their
mental health and daily life.

Overall, the study concludes that while social media can have both
positive and negative impacts it is crucial to encourage responsible and
mindful usage. Awareness and guidance on managing social media
engagement can help students maximize its benefits while minimizing
potential risks to their mental well-being and academic performance.
REFERENCES
BOOKS

• Glazzard, J., & Stones, S. (2019). Social Media and Young People's
Mental Health. London, UK: Critical Publishing

• Shelton, T. (2024). Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health: A

Parent's Guide. New York, NY: HarperCollins

• Haidt, J. (2024). The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of

Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. New York, NY:
Random House

JOURNALS AND PERIODICALS

• Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones,

social media use and youth mental health. CMAJ

• Haidt, J. (2025, January 15). How we can save our children from
smartphones. The Times

• Haseen, N. A., Shiril, F. E. C., & Navneetha, K. (2022). Effect of Social

Media Usage on FOMO and Mental Health among Adolescents.
International Journal of Advances in Social Sciences and Humanities

•Chattopadhyay, M., & Baskey, S. K. (2023). Mental Health and Social

Media Addiction of Secondary School Students in Relation to Locale
During Pandemic COVID-19. International Journal of Indian Psychology

CITATIONS FROM INTERNET

•Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023). Teens and social media use: What's the
impact?. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org

• National Education Association. (2018). Social Media's Impact on

Students' Mental Health Comes Into Focus. NEA Today. Retrieved from
https://www.nea.org

• Katzenstein, J. (2023). Social Media and Mental Health in Children and

Teens. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved from
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
 APPENDIX
MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION FOR WOMEN,
KOTTAYAM

RATING SCALE ON SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND INFLUENCE

Name of the
Student:
Name of the School:
Class:

Instructions
 Read the following statements carefully.
 For each statements, there are three responses;Always,
Sometimes,Never.
 Put a () mark in the appropriate columns against the relevant items.
 Respond to all answers.
 Your response will be kept confidential and will be need only for
research purpose.

Sl.No Statements Always Sometimes Never

1 I compare my
achievements with
others on social
media and feel less
confident.

2 I feel bad when my

posts do not get
enough likes

3 Social media helps me

 relax and reduces my
stress

4 I feel uncomfortable
sharing my opinions
on social media due
to fear of judgment.

4 Positive feedback on
social media boosts
my confidence

6 Social media content

often makes me feel
dissatisfied with my
appearance

7 I feel more
emotionally supported
by my friends on
social media

8 I am comfortable with
my body image
despite what I see on
social media

9 I feel anxious when I

am not able to check
my social media
accounts
10 Social media distracts
me from focusing on
my studies

11 Social media
increases my stress
when I see negative
content

12 I manage my study
time effectively even
when using social
media

13 Social media makes it

difficult for me to
concentrate on tasks
for long periods.

14 I use social media to

find helpful resources
for my studies.

15 Notifications from
social media often
interrupt my study
sessions