Social media use linked to psychological distress in studies

Recent studies in Canada and India have examined the relationship between social media usage and psychological well-being.

A study conducted at the University of Saskatchewan investigated problematic social media use (PSMU) among 133 participants. The research found moderate positive correlations between PSMU and levels of depression and loneliness. Additionally, a small positive association was noted between PSMU and anxiety, stress, and certain smartphone usage habits.

In India, a cross-sectional observational study published in the Indian Journal of Private Psychiatry focused on 320 medical students. The findings indicated that 12.8% of students experienced severe psychological distress, while 15% faced moderate distress. The study identified that distress levels were significantly higher among students who used social media for more than two hours daily, used platforms during clinical duty hours, or engaged with fashion-related content. Notably, Telegram users exhibited higher distress levels compared to users of other networks.