Social Media Usage and Perceived Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents in Calabar Metropolis
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Abstract
This study examined social media usage and perceived depressive symptoms among adolescents in Calabar Metropolis. The study set out to know if social media could be responsible for depressive symptoms among adolescents. The study was guided by three objectives, as the study hinged on the Uses and Gratification Theory and Social Comparison Theory. Survey method was used to collect data by means of a questionnaire, which extracted data from a sample size of 350 respondents. The primary objectives were to examine the impact of social media usage on the mental wellbeing of adolescents which lead to depressive symptoms in Calabar Metropolis, assess the level of awareness among adolescents about the risks associated with excessive social media usage in Calabar Metropolis and investigate the social media factors that contribute to depressive symptoms among adolescents in Calabar Metropolis. Findings revealed that social media can negatively impact mental wellbeing and contribute to depressive through several key factors which accounted for over 52%, the level of awareness among adolescents about the risks associated with excessive social media usage is low with 59% admitting that they were not aware of the dangers, and lastly, that 87% of students agreed that the social media factors that contribute to depressive symptoms among adolescents are social comparison with idealised content, excessive and addictive usage, disrupted sleep patterns and loss of self-esteem. The study therefore recommends that educators and parents should collaborate to establish clear, age appropriate guidelines that encourage balanced screen time, initiatives should be formulated to enhance student awareness on the dangers of social media usage and how to protect and lastly, adolescents should guard their mental space by setting clear boundaries around how and when they engage with social media and endeavour to turn off non-essential notifications, limiting scrolling to a reasonable window each day.
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