The Impact of Excessive Reliance on Social Media on Teenagers’ Social Anxiety and Well-being

Abstract

With the increasing functionality of social media, it has now become an integral part of people is lives. Compared with traditional social interaction methods, the new era of social media makes it easier for people to communicate with others, facilitating economic development and academic research. However, at the same time, it has brought many negative impacts. Many people have developed a serious dependence on social media, especially among the youth. They are immersed in the virtual online world, with their emotions being affected by the praise or criticism of strangers, which seriously affects their mental health. Therefore, this study delves into the relationship between excessive use of social media by teenagers and social anxiety and happiness, aiming to explore the path to balance the use of social media and mental health. The research results show that social media has a dual impact on the psychology of teenagers. Meanwhile, the differences in platform functions and usage scenarios will lead to different influences. Therefore, as parents, teachers or the whole society, people should deeply understand the emotional needs and social predicaments behind teenagers’ addiction to social media and take corresponding measures to save them.