Social media and YSU’s mental health

Photo by Elise Ramos

By Elise Ramos / The Jambar

If a recent Jambar poll is any indication, Youngstown State University students and faculty have increased their use of social media.

The survey was conducted amongst 55 participants, who identified as females, males and non-binary individuals.

Participants reported various amounts of time spent on social media platforms. The average screen time was calculated to be four hours and 44 minutes per day, with the highest reported amount averaging 17 hours.

Anna Maillis, a sophomore nursing student at YSU, said she has seen both positive and negative effects on her self esteem.

“The pressure to maintain a certain image online can feel overwhelming, and the addictive nature of scrolling often distracts her from real-life interactions or important tasks,” Maillis said.

The most popular social media platforms among the respondents were Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.

The responses also indicated a correlation between social media usage and mental health. Nearly 60% of those surveyed felt anxious or stressed after using social media.

When asked if social media negatively impacts self-esteem, 63.6% of participants acknowledged that it does.

Jenna Sadosky, a first-year primary education student, said she struggles with body dysmorphia.

“Seeing all of the ‘poster girls’ or ‘skinny girls’ constantly advertises that one must be the skinniest version of themselves in order to be loved or even noticed by someone,” Sadosky said.

Participants also reported various negative effects because of social media use, including increased anxiety, depression, loneliness and reduced face-to-face interactions.

A study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic showed the more time women spent using social media, the more likely they were to experience body dissatisfaction and depression.

Another study by the Lancet Discovery Science found that greater social media use for both men and women was related to lack of sleep, poor body image, experiences of online harassment and low self-esteem.

YSU offers a comprehensive range of mental health resources to support both students and faculty. Student Counseling Services also offers free and confidential counseling, including individual sessions, group therapy and workshops.

To access these services, students and faculty can contact YSU Student Counseling Services at 330-941-3737, or email studentcounseling@ysu.edu.

Leave a Reply