Beyond the Filter: Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health in a Developing Economy

Abstract

Objective:This study investigates the impact of social media use on youth mental health in Pakistan, focusing on the relationship between excessive engagement with visually driven platforms and adverse psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and sleep disturbances.

Research Gap: While prior studies have examined the link between social media use and mental health, most are concentrated in high-income countries. There is a lack of context-specific evidence from developing economies like Pakistan, where sociocultural factors may uniquely shape digital behaviors and mental health outcomes.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Using primary survey data from 400 respondents in Pakistan, the study employs binary logit and OLS regression models to analyze the relationship between social media use and mental health indicators.

The Main Findings: The results show that excessive use of visually driven platforms such as TikTok and Instagram is significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms, lower self-esteem, and shorter sleep duration.

Theoretical / Practical Implications of the Findings:The findings underscore the need for policy-driven interventions, such as digital literacy programs, regulated screen time, and digital mental health support, to promote healthier and more mindful social media engagement among youth in Pakistan.

Originality/Value:This study contributes novel, context-specific insights from a developing country perspective, highlighting how sociocultural dynamics influence the psychological effects of social media. It adds to the limited empirical literature on digital well-being in South Asia and offers practical recommendations for intervention.