Eksplorasi Persepsi Remaja tentang Penggunaan Media Sosial dan Dampaknya pada Kesehatan Mental

Abstract

Social media use has become an integral part of adolescent life and significantly influences their emotional and psychological development. However, the specific impact of online interactions on adolescent mental health, including the mechanisms linking positive and negative experiences, remains poorly understood. This study was conducted due to the limited understanding of how social media affects anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and motivation in adolescents, highlighting the need for an in depth exploration of adolescents’ subjective perspectives. A qualitative research design was employed, using in-depth interviews with five groups of informants, including active social media users, adolescents who experienced cyberbullying, adolescents active in positive online communities, parents, and school counselors. The findings indicate that social media has a dual effect: it can enhance mental well-being through positive interactions and community engagement, while also inducing psychological stress via social comparison and cyberbullying; parental involvement, supportive guidance, coping strategies, and evidence-based interventions were found to be crucial in moderating negative impacts. These results provide theoretical implications by expanding the understanding of the subjective mechanisms of social media use and offer practical guidance for developing more effective adolescent mental health interventions.