Impact Of Social Media Use on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being at Selected Private Schools in The Greater Accra Region Ghana

Abstract

Background In this digital age, the youth in Ghana extensively rely on various internet-connected devices to access social media platforms. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of social media use on adolescent mental health and well-being, identify protective factors, and propose evidence-based interventions for a healthier digital future at selected private schools. Methodology This was an analytic cross-sectional study that quantified social media usage patterns and its implications on adolescents’ mental health and well-being. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed and data was analyzed with STATA. Results High frequency of social media use exhibited a significant association with increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among participants. The analysis indicated that gender (p < 0.001) and school (p = 0.029) showed a statistically significant association with stress level whereas age group (p = 0.508) and grade level (p = 0.259) were not significantly associated with stress level. Approximately 4 out of 5 respondents revealed that they use social media daily. Furthermore, investigating the frequency and duration of social media use revealed notable connections with various mental health outcomes and a commendable response rate of approximately 93.75%.