Social Media Use: Worsening Anxiety and Depression

(In-Person) Oral Panel—Sex, Drugs, & Music

Mobile devices, along with social media and the Internet, have become a dominant presence in today’s world, especially among younger generations. Most of us rely on them to function in our daily lives. Alongside the frequent use of mobile devices, there has been an increase in mental health issues worldwide. The Internet opens many new doors and provides unlimited information, which has its benefits but can cause other negative issues. Behavioral changes from interacting with social media are noticeable, but research today has suggested that the use of social media may be rewiring our brain’s neural networks and its regular functions, such as the dopamine reward system and our ability to focus. This study investigates the correlation between this rewiring of the brain and worsening mental health outcomes, especially anxiety and depression. To investigate this issue, I explore persuasive design, mobile device dependency, and digitally influenced mental health issues. The results of this study are important for predicting the future of mental health treatment. By studying the consequences of social media use and dependency, I hope to raise awareness of the issue and help users make better decisions about their engagement with these products and minimize or prevent their negative effects.