Social media use and mental health: core risks and clinical implications

Social media use is now embedded in everyday life and plays a significant role in shaping psychological experience, social interaction and identity formation. While these platforms offer opportunities for connection and support, they also introduce clinically relevant risks that can impact mental health across the lifespan. This article examines key digital phenomena associated with adverse psychological outcomes, including cyberbullying, social comparison, fear of missing out (FoMO), and compulsive engagement. These behaviours are explored through both psychological and sociological frameworks, recognising the interaction between individual vulnerability and structural influences such as platform design and digital inequalities.

Evidence indicates that these patterns are associated with increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disruption and functional impairment. From a clinical perspective, structured digital history-taking and assessment of behavioural patterns, emotional responses and functional impact are essential. The article outlines practical, evidence-informed approaches to assessment and intervention, including psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural strategies and digital boundary-setting. A balanced approach is emphasised, enabling clinicians to identify clinically significant distress while avoiding the over-pathologisation of normative digital behaviour.