Relationship between social media addiction and mental health

With the rapid advancement of technology, social media occupies a central position in individuals' lives and has become an integral part of their daily routines. These digital platforms facilitate social interactions while transforming how individuals express themselves and relate to their social environment. However, the transformative power of social media also brings certain psychological and mental health challenges, particularly for young people. The study titled "The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Mental Health" aims to understand the impacts of social media addiction on young individuals and to explore how these effects are reflected in their mental health and psychological help-seeking behaviors. Excessive use of social media is widely recognized as contributing to adverse outcomes among young people, such as depression, anxiety disorders, loneliness, and low self-esteem. Research has demonstrated that metrics such as likes and follower counts become standards of self-worth, leading young individuals to engage in social comparison, often resulting in feelings of inadequacy. In this context, social media addiction emerges as a significant factor threatening young people's mental health in modern society. This study analyzes the psychological states of young individuals through the perspectives of psychological counselors and examines the motivations behind their pursuit of psychological support. By incorporating observations and interventions from psychologists and counselors, the research seeks to contribute to the development of strategies to combat social media addiction. The findings aim to offer concrete recommendations to support the mental health of young people and mitigate the negative effects of social media use. This research endeavors to enrich the literature on the relationship between social media and mental health by providing a deeper understanding of the impacts of social media addiction on young individuals. Keywords: Social media, Social media addiction, Mental health, Psychological support.