Cognitive and psychological effects of social media usage patterns among youth in Haryana, India population

This study explores the effects of social media on cognition and psychological well-being, with a focus on addiction, stress, anxiety, and behavioral changes. To research these impacts, a quantitative cross-sectional research design was conducted, and data were collected from 220 participants across different age groups using a structured questionnaire via Google Forms. The findings of this study were indicated that the majority of participants were moderately to highly engaged in the usage of social media, spending 1–3 hours per day and many others exceeding 3 hours daily. The of the cognitive effects were clearly indicated, with high levels of mental exhaustion (Mean = 3.50 ± 1.15) and addictive behavior (Mean = 3.47 ± 1.21) was moderate to high that suggested the impaired self-control and increased cognitive fatigue. Similarly, approximate 58.6% of participants reported difficulty in controlling their social media usage pattern, especially in terms of continuous scrolling behavior. The psychological outcomes of this study revealed moderate levels of stress and anxiety (Mean = 3.08), influenced by some factors such as mental exhaustion, social comparison and fear of missing out (FoMO). Furthermore, 70% of participants experienced mental fatigue and considered that the reducing screen time could improve their mental well-being.