Social Media Use and Its Effect on the Mental Health of Adolescents

Social Media Use and Its Effect on the Mental Health of Adolescents
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Evidence-Based Practice Summative Assignment
Introduction
Social networking had been the main means for people, especially teenagers, to communicate various information and connect to other people even at a distance with the use of the internet. The use of social networking sites has been considered as a necessity by the current generation, taking up a few minutes to several hours of their daily routine (Fulk & Connie, 2017).
Communication is the system that is used to transfer information between one person to another. It is used to express thoughts and ideas, which may involve speech (Ruesch, et al., 2017). Interaction between two or more people is an important aspect when defining communication, and it is the desired quality for the process to be considered effective. Interaction is one of the key things that people can gain with social networking sites to be able to communicate with people all over the globe (Fulk & Connie, 2017).
The use of social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, enables the information and message to flow from many-to-many from different sources of knowledge from other people participating in the interactive system (Fulk & Connie, 2017). Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the most trusted sites of students. The preference towards the sites depends on many factors such a privacy concern, age, and gender. These sites are used as a form of self-expression and the formation of public image (Shane, Gaggi, & Gillespie-Lynch, 2018). There are several advantages and disadvantages regarding social media usage for teenagers. This enables the building of friendships and relationships through the communication that they can form with the use of these technologies. But the downside of frequent use of social media is negative self and body-image, addiction, unhealthy lifestyles, and cyberbullying (Monroe, 2019).
The adolescents or those who are in a phase of growth between ages 13 to 18 years old (WHO, 2017). Due to the neurological and hormonal development occurring during the adolescent stage, emotional and psychosocial changes including increased cognitive and intellectual capacities are involved. There are also implications on the changes with health risks that adolescents are now more prone to such as, reproductive issues, and mental illnesses (WHO, 2017). During these years of adolescence, there are external factors including the pressure from the society in addition to the changes that are happening to the body itself as part of its growth and development are overwhelming to the teens, causing mental health issues (Monroe, 2019). Based on the evidence, social media posts, engagement, language, etc. are considered as beneficial tools in identifying behavioral attributes to detect and diagnose mental health disorders (De Choudhury, et al., 2013).  
During the adolescent development, human rights coincide with public health in promoting the safe and healthy process of each adolescent teen to progress into adulthood (WHO, 2017). Public Health involves the prevention of diseases and injuries and wellness promotion by endorsing healthy behaviors, routines, and lifestyles. Its scope also promotes the ability of human beings to thrive and improve the quality of life of everyone in the community (Baum, 2016.).     
Based on previous studies, there is a connection found between having numerous multimedia platforms and increased mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression in young adults between the age of 19 – 32 years old (Dickinson, et al., 2018). The cause and effect relationship was not established and suggested that further research on the area should be conducted (Primak, et al., 2017). Depression and anxiety are triggered by self-presentation, actual and ideal self, and social comparison (Conway, et al., 2016).
As a healthcare worker involved in public health, these issues regarding the use of social media in the everyday lives of adolescents and the presence of negative effects of social media to a person’s wellbeing are important to identify possible factors that contribute to a patient or client’s mental distress (Conway, et al., 2016). Further research is needed to provide opportunities for education and promotion of good mental health, including self-regulation of patient’s patterns and behaviors (Conway, et al., 2016).
This discussion aims to provide current research and available information regarding social media use and its association with the mental health of adolescents. The findings will also contribute to the possible improvements in the field of public health, both prevention, and treatment, that may apply to the patients and clients.
Research Question
What are the effects of the daily use of social media platforms (I/E) on the mental health (O) of adolescents (men and women) ages 13 to 18 (P)?
Rationale
           This study explores the relationship between the active usage of various social media platforms and the mental health of teenagers. Although many advantages are commonly associated with social media, both negative and positive aspects will be explored to promote awareness, early detection, and appropriate interventions based on the evidence that will be presented.
Literature Search
Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Population
* Males and females
* 13 to 18 years of age
* No prior signs or diagnosis of mental health issues defined using DSM-5

Population
* Below 13 years old & above 18 years old
* Gender-specific research papers
* With a current or previous diagnosis of a mental health disorder defined in DSM-5

Intervention/Exposure
* The use of one or more of the following social media platforms:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
My Space
Snapchat
We Sing
Tinder
Mixed Networking Sites
* At least an hour of using social media every day
* Behavior should be consistent for at least 2 months

Intervention/Exposure
* Use of non-online media platform
* Less than an hour use of social media platform per day
* Non-daily use of social media
* Inconsistency in social media use

Outcomes
* Rate of self-harm
* Suicide ideation
* Severity of anxiety
* Severity of depression

Outcomes
* Other measures that are not related to psychology
* Other measures not related to mental health status

Journals and Database
* Original studies
* Published in peer-r...