THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

In Pakistan Social media's rapid growth has changed the way students communicate, learn and view the world around them because they utilise websites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. These platforms are not just part of students' everyday lives; they have become a major influence on education and mental health. Therefore, this study explores both the positive and negative impacts of social media on students' academic and psychological health, by examining the increasing use of social media by students and what effect it may have on students' learning behaviours, emotional health, and ultimately academic success. This study focus primarily on understanding how social media enables engagement in education, access to educational resources, participation in classroom activities, and the ability to collaborate with other students both inside and outside the classroom. It is also look at the negative effects associated with overuse or unregulated use of social media, including anxiety, depression, emotional burnout, distraction, and diminished academic focus. To do this, a mixed-method methodology employed, using a review of current literature, surveys of students, and an analysis of student digital behaviours in order to better understand how digital activity relates to mental health and academic performance. The study shows that social media can help in education through improving communication between students and their teachers, increasing the amount of peer-learning opportunities, and allowing students to have easy access to educational materials. While there are many positive aspects of how social media may affect education, this study shows that there are also some very real negative consequences of social media use as well. An individual’s excessive screen time, the culture of comparing oneself against others, experience with cyberbullying, and issues regarding academics using social media all create high levels of stress, low self-esteem, and increased risks for low mental well-being. Therefore, one may conclude that whether a person has positive or negative effects from social media use is dependent on how they use it, how well they are able to control their own actions, and what type of content is being consumed. The findings of this study are important to various stakeholders, including students, educators, parents, and policymakers, because they demonstrate the importance of developing balance in digital habits, becoming aware of mental health issues related to digital media consumption, and being responsible when using digital forms of media. The researchers recommend that students be taught digital literacy, parents practice controlled use of screens, and all individuals develop healthy user habits on (through) social media in order to optimize their educational use and minimize the psychological risks associated.