Introduction:
The Rise of Social Media and Mental Health on College Campuses
Background and Context
Social media has become an ingrained part of everyday life for college students across the country. A 2018 study found that over 90% of young adults in the United States actively use social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis (Smith and Anderson, 2018). This widespread integration of social platforms into student life has occurred alongside a growing mental health crisis on college campuses. Statistics from the American College Health Association (2018) indicate that 30% of college students report experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some research suggests a link between social media use and poorer mental wellbeing among students. The relationship is complex with many contributing factors. This paper examines the current literature on social media usage patterns of college students and explores potential connections to symptoms of depression. Specifically, it analyzes how social comparison and fear of missing out (FoMO) on social media may negatively impact student mental health and offers recommendations for campus supports and policies.
Social Media Usage Among College Students
Research provides insight into how college students engage with social media on a daily basis. A recent Pew Research Center study (2019) surveyed students and found that 71% use Snapchat daily, 66% use Instagram daily, 52% use Facebook daily and 48% use YouTube daily. On average, students reported spending just over two hours on social media per day, with heavy users spending upwards of five hours or more. Female students tended to use Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest more frequently than males, while males reported higher usage of YouTube, Reddit and Twitter (Pew Research Center, 2019). The social platforms of choice can vary depending on the type of school and age of the student body as well. For example, studies show Snapchat to be more prevalent at smaller private colleges while Instagram is growing in popularity at larger public universities (Bonetti, Campbell & Gilmore, 2010; Raacke & Bonds-Raacke, 2008).
It is important to note that not all social media use is detrimental. Many students enjoy connecting with friends and family via platforms or following accounts related to hobbies and interests. When taken to an extreme, some research hints that heavy or problematic engagement with social media may link to poorer mental health outcomes. The next section examines how social comparison and FOMO on social media could potentially fuel symptoms of depression among college students.
Social Comparison and Depression
A key way social media may negatively impact wellbeing is through social comparison. Social comparison theory suggests people assess their own worth by comparing themselves to others (Festinger, 1954). On social media, profiles are often carefully curated to only display a user’s best moments and accomplishments. Scrolling through highlight reels of friends’ lives can trigger feelings of inadequacy in some viewers. A 2019 study found that college females who spent more time on social networking sites reported higher levels of social comparison and lower self-esteem (Vogel et al., 2014). In another study, the more Facebook usage among college freshman correlated with a decline in wellbeing and life satisfaction over a 12-month period, likely due to upward social comparisons (Kross et al., 2013). Making frequent or extensive downward comparisons to others posting about harder times in life can also take an emotional toll.
The ability to endlessly scroll social feeds also provides ample opportunity to engage in comparison. Research consistently links social comparison to symptoms of depression since it can breed feelings of defectiveness and failure to meet standards, especially in an achievement and image-focused time like college (Abbott et al., 2009). Feeling like peers present idealized versions of their lives online may spark self-doubt within vulnerable students. Symptoms can worsen without IRL interactions and relationships to provide a buffer. Viewing heavily curated profiles as a primary basis for social comparison could contribute to depression risk among college students prone to rumination or negative thinking styles. More data is still needed but social comparison stands as a potential mechanism linking social media usage to depressed mood.
Fear of Missing Out and Depression
Closely tied to social comparison is fear of missing out, or FOMO – the increasingly common fear that others might be enjoying rewarding experiences from which one is absent (Przybylski et al., 2013). With social media, fears of missing events and inside jokes constantly crop up. FOMO stems from the human need to belong and connects to depression when it produces anxious or envious feelings. Research indicates that higher levels of FOMO correlate with greater signs of problematic social media use, lower life satisfaction, and higher levels of depression and anxiety for college students (Buglass et al., 2017). The “highlight reel” lifestyle depicted on platforms fuels worries students may not make the most of their college years. Some suspect FOMO emerges from social media largely replacing informal get-togethers with constant online options to keep tabs on others (Bell et al., 2014). Unable to fully disconnect, fears of missing out get internalized. For those prone to rumination or introversion, worries sparked by FOMO on social media may contribute additional depressive cognitions.
Recommendations and Conclusion
While more evidence is required to fully establish causality, current research points to potential connections between heavy social media usage patterns like social comparison and FOMO to symptoms of depression for college students. Several steps could help address this emerging mental health concern on campuses:
Expand counseling center resources to address problematic social media usage alongside traditional issues like stress or relationships. Counselors should screen clients for signs of depression linked to social media behaviors.
Conduct wellness workshops educating students on social comparison biases, making healthy limits with social media, and activities to boost offline connections like club involvement or quality time with friends.
Train Resident Advisors to recognize warning signs of depression emerging from social media and make appropriate referrals to counseling support.
Promote campus policies and study spaces minimizing social media distractions to curb excessive usage that fuels behaviors like social comparison.
Social media platforms themselves could implement wellness features empowering users to limit time spent or turn off notifications for periods focusing on real life interactions instead of online worlds.
More longitudinal studies are still needed to strengthen conclusions on causal effects, as are interventions testing if reducing social media use specifically lessens depression rates among college students over time.
While social media brings benefits, its potential impact on mental health signals a need for evidence-based campus supports. Further exploring links between behaviors like social comparison and depression could help lessen emerging challenges to college student wellbeing in an increasingly digitally connected world. With balanced usage and targeted resources that strengthen offline interactions, social media’s relationship to student mental health outcomes may become more positive.
Andrew Stroud