Pengaruh penggunaaan media sosial terhadap perkembangan mental dan sosial remaja

Abstract

The development of information and communication technology has made social media an important part of adolescents’ lives. The increasing use of social media has a significant influence on the mental and social development of adolescents, both positively and negatively. This study aims to determine the influence of social media use on adolescents’ mental and social development and to understand its impacts on daily life. The results of the study show that social media has positive impacts, such as facilitating communication, increasing knowledge, developing creativity, and helping adolescents build social relationships and self-confidence. However, excessive use of social media also causes negative impacts, including social media addiction, decreased direct social interaction, cyberbullying, ethical crises, mental health problems, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem due to social comparison. In addition, family environment, friendships, and adolescents’ level of understanding are factors that influence social media usage behavior. Therefore, supervision and education from families, schools, and communities are needed so that adolescents can use social media wisely and responsibly. With proper use, social media can become a positive tool in supporting adolescents’ mental and social development in the digital era.