THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON STUDENTS’ BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ACADEMIC OUTCOMES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW (2016–2024)

Abstract

Social media has become an ubiquitous part of the lives of students, which affects both behavioral health and academic performance. Although these platforms open up possibilities of communication, collaboration and access to educational resources, there is growing evidence regarding their multifaceted and sometimes contradictory impacts. This paper includes a narrative literature review that summarizes peer-reviewed articles published in the last four years (2016-2024) to explore the effects of social media on students. A search of major academic databases was organized, and studies that met the predefined inclusion criteria were selected based on the following aspects: student populations, use of social media, and related psychological and academic outcomes. The results show that uncontrolled and excessive use of social media is always linked to negative behavioral health effects, such as anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and emotional control. Such effects have been associated with processes like social comparison, fear of missing out, and compulsive patterns of engagement. Meanwhile, excessive use is linked to decreased academic concentration, procrastination, and poorer academic achievement. Nevertheless, the review also reports possible advantages of the intentional and controlled use of social media, such as improved collaboration, access to learning materials, and peer support. All in all, the evidence indicates that the effects of social media are not necessarily positive or negative but are influenced by the patterns of usage, personal traits, and situational factors. The paper highlights the importance of moderate online use and specific interventions to promote student health and achievement.