Exploring Psychological Impact of Social Media on Teenagers: A Qualitative Study in District Mansehra

Abstract

The psychological impact of social media on teenagers in District Mansehra was explored in this study using qualitative research methods. A phenomenological research design was utilized in order to reveal teenagers' lived experiences with social media in regard to their emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected 40 respondents (aged 13 to 19 years), from different educational institutions through purposive sampling. A thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke was used to identify some of the main themes, including anxiety related to social media, body image and self-esteem issues, cyberbullying, disrupted sleep, academic issues and social isolation, despite being visible online. Studies show that social media use is linked to anxiety, low self-esteem and cyberbullying; The study was conducted adhering to strict ethical guidelines. All participants gave informed consent, and parental consent was obtained for minors. All participants were assured of confidentiality, and any identifiers were removed to effectively anonymize them. In addition, they were informed that they could quit the study at any time without any consequences. experts say the platforms also impact sleep and grades. Despite enabling online connectivity, it contributes towards social isolation in world. These findings underscore the urgent need to implement school- and family-based interventions geared towards reducing the pernicious psychological effects of the social media environment on adolescents. We can overcome these challenges only by running awareness campaigns, guiding parents, and mentoring our children on the importance of digital literacy to create a healthier environment for online life. The results add to a growing conversation about adolescent mental health in the digital age