V3I5P33

Social Media Use and Psychological Well-Being of College Students

Furgal Saren^1*, Dr. Chinmay Ghosh²

Abstract

In the digital era, social media has become an integral part of students’ daily lives, influencing their communication patterns, academic engagement, and psychological health. College students, as active users of platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, experience both benefits and challenges associated with social media use. While social media can foster connectivity, information sharing, and emotional support, excessive or maladaptive use has been linked to anxiety, depression, loneliness, reduced self-esteem, and sleep disturbances. This paper explores the relationship between social media use and the psychological well-being of college students through an interdisciplinary lens. Drawing from psychological theories, educational perspectives, and recent empirical studies, the article examines both positive and negative impacts of digital engagement on student well-being. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical methodology based on review and interpretation of existing literature. The findings suggest that balanced and mindful use of social media can enhance social connectedness and learning, whereas excessive dependency can negatively affect mental health and academic performance. The study concludes that educational institutions must promote digital well-being and mental health awareness to help students navigate social media responsibly.

Keywords:

Social Media, Psychological Well-being, College Students, Mental Health, Digital Behaviour, Academic Stress