Bridging the Digital Divide: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Well-being

The pervasive use of social media among adolescents has sparked significant concern regarding its impact on mental well-being. However, the evidence is fragmented, often highlighting only risks or benefits in isolation. This systematic review synthesizes contemporary evidence to provide a holistic understanding of the multifaceted impact of social media on adolescent mental well-being, identifying both detrimental and supportive mechanisms. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024. The synthesis revealed a dual-edged impact. Key negative pathways included social comparison (leading to envy and low self-esteem), cyberbullying victimization, and sleep displacement while positive pathways included social support and belonging, especially for marginalized youth, and access to mental health literacy communities. The findings indicate that outcomes are not determined by usage alone but are critically mediated by user activity (active vs. passive use), individual vulnerabilities, and the quality of online interactions. We conclude that the impact of social media on adolescent mental well-being is complex and non-uniform. Moving beyond a simplistic “social media is harmful” narrative, this review highlights the need for targeted interventions, digital literacy education, and platform design reforms.