Social media usage linked to narcissism and mental health risks

Recent psychological research highlights the complex relationship between social media usage, personality traits, and mental health. Psychologists from the University of Gdańsk have analyzed how different dimensions of narcissism—including grandiose, communal, competitive, and vulnerable narcissism—act as risk factors for social media addiction. The researchers suggest that these platforms allow individuals to reinforce or create an idealized version of themselves, providing a controlled environment for self-promotion and a way to satisfy needs for recognition while avoiding the complexities of offline social interactions.

Complementary data from a study commissioned by the German health insurance company Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) focuses on the impact of usage time on adolescents aged 12 to 17. The report, ‘Youth between Like and Limit’, indicates that heavy users—those spending four or more hours daily on social media—report significantly higher rates of negative emotions compared to light users. Specifically, 49% of heavy users reported bad moods, compared to 20% of those using platforms for only one or two hours. Other reported issues among intensive users include increased anxiety, self-dissatisfaction, fatigue, irritability, and physical ailments. Jens Baas, CEO of TK, emphasized that providers must take greater responsibility for protecting young users.