Exploring the impact of social media use on mental health in adolescents. Benefits, risks, and the role of school and school psychologists

This paper offers an exploratory review of the literature regarding the impact of social media use on adolescents’ mental health, with a focus on school psychologists as the intended audience. The paper is organized into four main parts. The first section examines the effects of social media use on adolescent psychological development, with a particular emphasis on identity construction and social relationships. In the second section, we explore the problematic effects of social media use, highlighting its potential to exacerbate anxiety and depression. The third section explores the affordances and impacts of different social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Finally, the last section highlights the importance of promoting mindful social media use and media education and discusses the role of school psychologists in this process. Although social media offers potential benefits for adolescent development, it also poses risks to mental health. Therefore, it is essential for school psychologists to work alongside teachers to promote the critical and conscious use of digital media among students.