Implications and prospects of integrating social media in English language teaching in higher education
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Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between social media usage and mental health, with particular attention to anxiety and self-esteem among young adults. Despite growing scholarly interest, there remains a gap in understanding how digital interactions influence psychological well-being through complex emotional and social mechanisms. To address this, a mixed methods design was employed, combining a survey of 200 participants who completed standardized measures of anxiety and self-esteem with in-depth qualitative interviews. The analysis revealed that frequent engagement with social media corresponded with elevated anxiety and diminished self-esteem. Further examination indicated that social media activity served as a meaningful predictor of these psychological outcomes. Qualitative insights emphasized the roles of social comparison, validation-seeking behavior, and the supportive potential of online communities. The findings underscore the importance of developing digital literacy programs and implementing platform-level interventions aimed at reducing harmful effects while fostering healthier, more reflective modes of online participation.
Keywords: Anxiety; digital literacy; mental health; self-esteem; social media
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