author(s)
Surender Kumar

abstract
This study examines how different patterns of social media use influence mental health among individuals. The research explores several key aspects, including the relationship between the duration of social media use and overall mental-health status, the impact of excessive use on stress and anxiety, and the effects of social comparison on self-esteem. It also investigates how late-night or irregular usage patterns affect concentration and productivity, along with the positive role social media can play in offering emotional support and enhancing social connectedness. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests to determine the significance of these relationships. The results show that heavy usage and social comparison are strongly linked with increased stress and lower self-esteem, while excessive or late-night use contributes to difficulties in focus and task performance. At the same time, social media continues to serve as an important platform for building supportive connections and maintaining relationships. The study highlights the dual nature of social media its ability to both benefit and challenge users’ mental well-being and emphasizes the need for mindful and balanced usage.