The Interrelationship between Social Media Use, Mental Health, and Science Learning Among Middle School Students: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajet.v5i1.6520Keywords:
Interrelationship, Mental Health, Middle Level Learners, Science Learning, Social MediaAbstract
The study was conducted to review peer-reviewed articles on the balance between social media usage, mental health, and science learning outcomes of middle-level learners. This review employed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review found that social media is neither uniformly harmful nor beneficial. Its impact on middle-level learners’ mental health and science education is shaped by the type of engagement, developmental stage, gender, and surrounding support. The study further pinpointed several strategies that would be effective for ensuring responsible and healthy mental use of social media among middle-level learners, aiming at enhancing their science learning goals. We recommend that tasks and assignments given by teachers that encourage learners to use social media be restricted to content that is appropriate for their age group. Aids that promote and encourage learners to move away from given tasks on websites must be removed.
Downloads
References
Akgunduz, D. & Akinoglu, O. (2016). The effect of blended learning and social media supported learning on the students’ attitude and self-directed learning skills in science education. TOJET:The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 15(2), 106- 113
Akgunduz, D. & Akinoglu, O. (2016). The Effect of Blended Learning and Social Media-Supported Learning on the Students’ Attitude and Self-Directed Learning Skills in Science Education. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET, 15(2), 106-115.
American Psychological Association. (2023). Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/social- media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use. pdf
Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2018). Teens’ social media habits and experiences. Pew Research Center. Retrived from: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/11/28/teens-social-media-habits-and-experiences/ on November 5, 2025.
Badcock, J. C., Shah, S., Mackinnon, A., Stain, H. J., Galletly, C., Jablensky, A. & Morgan, V. A. (2015). Loneliness in psychotic disorders and its association with cognitive function and symptom profile. Schizophrenia Research, 169(1–3), 268–273.
Bajcar, E. A. & Bąbel, P. (2018). How does observational learning produce placebo effects? A model integrating research findings. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2041.
Bajcar, E.A. & Bąbel P. (2018). How does observational learning produce placebo effects? A model integrating research findings. Front Psychol, 9, 2041. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.0204
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall; 1977
Bandura, A. & Walters, R. H. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice hall.
Bashir, H. & Bhat, S. A. (2017). Effects of social media on mental health: A review. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(3), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.25215/0403.134
Bassi, M., Caprara, G. V., Fave, A. D. & Steca, P. (2006). Academic Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Quality of Experience in Learning. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36(3), 301–312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9069-y
Berryman, C., Ferguson, C. & Negy, C. (2018). Social media use and mental health among young adults. Psychiatr Q. 89, 307-314. 10.1007/s11126-017-9535-6
Beyens, I., Pouwels, J. L., van Driel, I. I., Keijsers, L. & Valkenburg, P. M. (2020). The effect of social media on well-being differs from adolescent to adolescent. Scientific reports, 10(1), 10763.
Canadian Paediatric Society, Digital Health Task Force, Ottawa, Ontario. (2019). Digital media: Promoting healthy screen use in school-aged children and adolescents. Paediatrics & Child Health, 24(6), 402-408.
Carpenter, J. P., Shelton, C. C. & Schroeder, S. E. (2022). The education influencer: A new player in the educator professional landscape. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 55(5), 749–764. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2022.2030267
Carpenter, J. P., Shelton, C. C. & Schroeder, S. E. (2023). The education influencer: A new player in the educator professional landscape. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 55(5), 749-764.
Cathala, X., Ocho, O. N., Mcintosh, N., Watts, P. N. & Moorley, C. (2022). An exploration of social participation in Caribbean student nurses’ use of social media in their learning journey. Journal of Advanced Nursing, April, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15499
Chen, S., Andrews, L. N., Jeong, R., Gilbertson, M., Geisler, M. & Demaray, M. K. (2025). Beyond likes and follows: Investigating the longitudinal associations between social media rumination and internalizing symptoms in middle school students. Child & Youth Care Forum. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-025-09884-2
Cherry, K. (2024). How social learning theory works. Very well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/social-learning-theory-2795074
Cherry, K. (2024). How social learning theory works. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/social-learning-theory-2795074 on November 5, 2025.
Colak, M., Bingol, O. S. & Dayi, A. (2023). Self-esteem and social media addiction level in adolescents: The mediating role of body image. Indian journal of psychiatry, 65(5), 595-600.
Daniel, R. A. Y., Bordios, M. C. J. E., Lambayan, D. J. M., Catcatan, N. N. S., Alegado, J. C. M., Doliguez, K. D., Sacare, L. A. & Gofimon, R. R. M. (2025). Social media usage as a predictor of senior high school students’ learning participation. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 35(2), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.70838/pemj.350206
Demir, M. (2018). Using Online Peer Assessment in an Instructional Technology and Material Design Course through Social Media. Higher Education, 75(3), 399–414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734 017-0146-9
Essig, J., Watts, M., Beck Dallaghan, G. L. & Gilliland, K. O. (2020). InstaHisto: utilizing Instagram as a medium for disseminating visual educational resources. Medical Science Educator, 30(3), 1035-1042.
Essig, J., Watts, M., Beck Dallaghan, G. L. & Gilliland, K. O. (2020). InstaHisto: Utilizing Instagram as a Medium for Disseminating Visual Educational Resources. Medical Science Educator, 30(3), 1035 1042. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-020-01010-2
Feinstein, B. A., Hershenberg, R., Bhatia, V., Latack, J. A., Meuwly, N. & Davila, J. (2013). Negative social comparison on Facebook and depressive symptoms: rumination as a mechanism. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 2(3), 161.
Frison, E. & Eggermont, S. (2016). Exploring the relationships between different types of Facebook use, perceived online social support, and adolescents’ depressed mood. Social Science Computer Review, 34(2), 153-171.
Giacco, D., Palumbo, C., Strappelli, N., Catapano, F. & Priebe, S. (2016). Social contacts and loneliness in people with psychotic and mood disorders. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 66, 59–66
Gupta, C., Jogdand, S., Kumar, M., GUPTA, C. & Jogdand, S. D. (2022). Reviewing the impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents and young adults. Cureus, 14(10).
Gupta, C., Kumar, M. & Jogdand, D. S. (2022). Reviewing the Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults. Cureus, 14(10). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30143
Iannotti, R.J., Janssen, I. & Haug, E. (2009). Interrelationships of adolescent physical activity, screen-based sedentary behavior, and social and psychological health. Int J Public Health. 54,191-198. 10.1007/s00038-009-5410-z
Ibragimov, G. I., Murkshtis, M., Zaitseva, N. A., Kosheleva, Y. P., Sadykova, A. R. & Shindryaeva, N. N. (2023). Research Trends on Learning Environment in Science Education. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(11), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13680
Ivie, E. J., Pettitt, A., Moses, L. J. & Allen, N. B. (2020). A meta-analysis of the association between adolescent social media use and depressive symptoms. Journal of affective disorders, 275, 165-174.
Ivie, E. J., Pettitt, A., Moses, L. J. & Allen, N. B. (2020). A meta-analysis of the association between adolescent social media use and depressive symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 275, 165–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.014
Janson, B. L. & Holland, J. (2024). Counselling on the wise use of social media as a mental health effort for Maryville High School students. Tennessee Community Service International of Empowerment, 1(1), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.53730/tcsie.v1n1.2
Karim, F., Mohamad, M. & Muhammad, N. (2019). Mental health mediates social support to predict quality of life among drug-abuse inmates. Indian J Public Health Res Dev. 10, 776-781. 10.5958/0976-5506.2019.00797.6
Karim, F., Oyewande, A. A., Abdalla, L. F., Chaudhry Ehsanullah, R.. & Khan, S. (2020). Social media use and its connection to mental health: A systematic review. Cureus, 12(6), e8627. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8627
Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C. & Sacker, A. (2018). Social media use and adolescent mental health: Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. EClinicalMedicine, 6, 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2018.12.005
Khalaf, A. M., Alubied, A. A., Khalaf, A. M. & Rifaey, A. A. (2023). The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42990
Khalaf, A. M., Alubied, A. A., Khalaf, A. M., Rifaey, A. A., Alubied, A. & Rifaey, A. (2023). The impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents and young adults: a systematic review. Cureus, 15(8).
Knifsend, C. A., Camacho-Thompson, D. E., Juvonen, J. & Graham, S. (2018). Friends in Activities, School-related Affect, and Academic Outcomes in Diverse Middle Schools. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(6), 1208–1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0817-
Kowalski, R. M. & Limber, S. P. (2007). Electronic bullying among middle school students. Journal of adolescent health, 41(6), S22-S30.
Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., Shablack, H., Jonides, J. & Ybarra, O. (2013). Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PLoS One, 8(8), e69841.
Lemberger-Truelove, M. E., Molina, C. E., Carbonneau, K. J., & Ceballos, P. L. (2021). Growth in Middle School Students’ Curiosity, Executive Functioning, and Academic Achievement: Results From a Theory-Informed SEL and MBI School Counseling Intervention. Professional School Counseling, 24(1_part_3), 2156759X2110076. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759x211007654
Lundgren, L., Crippen, K. J. & Bex, R. T. (2022). Social media interaction as informal science learning: A comparison of message design in two niches. Research in Science Education, 52(1), 1-20.
Lundgren, L., Crippen, K. J. & Bex, R. T. (2022). Social Media Interaction as Informal Science Learning: A Comparison of Message Design in Two Niches. Research in Science Education, 52(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-019-09911-y
Martin, F., Wang, C., Petty, T., Wang, W. & Wilkins, P. (2018). Middle school students’ social media use. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 21(1), 213-224.
Martin, F., Wang, C., Petty, T., Wang, W. & Wilkins, P. (2018). Middle school students’ social media use. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 21(1), 213–224.
Martinsen, E.W. (2008). Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression. Nord J Psychiatry. 62, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039480802315640
Metzler, A. & Scheithauer, H. (2017). The Long-Term Benefits of Positive Self-Presentation via Profile Pictures, Number of Friends and the Initiation of Relationships on Facebook for Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and the Initiation of Offline Relationships. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01981
Miller, A. M., Morgan, W. J. & Koronkiewicz, B. (2019). Like or Tweet: Analysis of the Use of Facebook and Twitter in the Language Classroom. TechTrends, 63(5), https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0341-2
Motzko, M. & Dennis, J. F. (2023). Usage of Student-Created Anatomical Diagrams Shared on Social Media. Medical Science Educator, 33(1), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-023 01736-9
Muris, P. & Steerneman, P. (2001). The revised version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED-R): first evidence for its reliability and validity in a clinical sample. Br J Clin Psychol. 40, 35- 44
Mussadiq, M. (2024). Social learning theory in the age of social media. Neuro Health Alliance. Retrieved from: https://www.neurohealthalliance.org/post/social-learning-theory on November 5, 2025.
Mussadiq, M. (2024). Social learning theory in the age of social media. Neuro Health Alliance. https://www.neurohealthalliance.org/post/social-learning-theory
Nurhayati, S., Suryani, N. & Suharno. (2020). Need Analysis of Audiovisual Media Development to Teach Science Materials for Young Learners. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 3(2), 152–167. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.672104
O’Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Hughes, J., Reilly, P., George, R. & Whiteman, N. (2019). Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents. Health promotion international, 34(5), 981-991.
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). (2021). Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youthmental-health-advisory.pdf
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). (2021). Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youthmental-health-advisory.pdf
Orben, A. & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use. Nature human behaviour, 3(2), 173-182.
O’Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Hughes, J., Reilly, P., George, R.. & Whiteman, N. (2018). Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents. Health Promote Int. 34, 981-991
Otubue, V. O. & Oji, M. (2024). The influence of social media on moral values and group norms among secondary school students: A study of Delta State. International Journal of Social Science Humanity & Management Research, 3(5), 484-493.
Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F., Bolton, P. & Unützer, J. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The lancet, 392(10157), 1553-1598.
Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F. & Bolton, P. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553–1598.
Petrosino, A., Boruch, R. F., Soydan, H., Duggan, L. & Sanchez-Meca, J. (2001). Meeting the challenges of evidence-based policy: The Campbell Collaboration. The ANNALS of the American academy of political and social science, 578(1), 14-34.
Petrosino, A., Boruch, R. F., Soydan, H., Duggan, L. & Sanchez-Meca, J. (2001). Meeting the challenges of evidence-based policy: The Campbell Collaboration. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 578(1), 14–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/000271620157800102
Rahman, N.I, Ismail, S. & Seman, TNAT, (2013). Stress among preclinical medical students of University Sultan Zainal Abidin. J Appl Pharm Sci. 3, 76-81
Rahman, T., Kim, Y. S., Noh, M. & Lee, C. K. (2021). A Study on the Determinants of Social Media Based Learning in Higher Education. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(2), 1325–1351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09987-2
Rap, S. & Blonder, R. (2016). Let’s Face (book) it: Analyzing interactions in social network groups for chemistry learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(1), 62-76.
Rap, S. & Blonder, R. (2016). Let’s Face(book) It: Analyzing Interactions in Social Network Groups for Chemistry Learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(1), 62–76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-015-9577-1
Ridout, B. & Campbell, A. (2018). The use of social networking sites in mental health interventions for young people: systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(12), e12244.
Ridout, B. & Campbell, A. (2018). The Use of Social Networking Sites in Mental Health Interventions for Young People: Systematic Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(12), e12244. https://doi.org/10.2196/12244
Salih, K. M. A., Albaqami, A. A., Jibo, A., Alfaifi, J. A., Al Amri, S. A., Alghamdi, M., Abbas, M. & Ibrahim, M. E. (2022). Social Media Utilization and Its Impact on Male Medical Students’ Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 23(2), https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1096411
Sampasa-Kanyinga, H. & Lewis, R. F. (2015). Frequent use of social networking sites is associated with poor psychological functioning among children and adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(7), 380–385. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2015.0055
Sampasa-Kanyinga, H., Chaput, J.P. & Hamilton, H. A. (2019). Social Media Use, School Connectedness, and Academic Performance Among Adolescents. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 40(2), 189–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-019-00543-6
Sampasa-Kanyinga, H., Hamilton, H. A., Mougharbel, F. & Chaput, J.-P. (2023). Heavy social media use and posting regrets are associated with lower self-esteem among middle and high school students. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 114(6), 906–915. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-023-00801-5
Sarwer, S., Tariq, A. & Abid, M. N. (2024). Impact of Teacher Empathy and Motivation on Student Academic Achievement: Mediated by Sense of School Belongingness. Journal of Higher Education and Development Studies (JHEDS), 4(1), 264–281. https://doi.org/10.59219/jheds.04.01.64
Schmidt, S. J. (2020). Distracted learning: Big problem and golden opportunity. Journal of Food Science Education, 19(4), 278–291. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4329.12206
Setia, S., Tichy, M. & Gilbert, F. (2024). Innovating Social-Emotional Learning to Enhance Positive Engagement of Youth with Social Media: A Comprehensive Review of Why and How. Cureus, 16(9). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.70130
Setia, S., Tichy, M., Gilbert, F. & Tichy, M. L. (2024). Innovating social-emotional learning to enhance positive engagement of youth with social media: a comprehensive review of why and how. Cureus, 16(9).
Spinzy, Y., Nitzan, U., Becker, G., Bloch, Y. & Fennig, S. (2012). Does the Internet offer social opportunities for individuals with schizphrenia? A cross-sectional pilot study. Psychiatry Research, 198(2), 319–320
Steinsbekk, S., Wichstrøm, L., Stenseng, F., Nesi, J., Hygen, B. W. & Skalická, V. (2021). The impact of social media use on appearance self-esteem from childhood to adolescence–A 3-wave community study. Computers in Human Behavior, 114, 106528.
Stevi, S. & Haryanto, H. (2020). Need Analysis of Audiovisual Media Development to Teach Digestive System for Elementary School. International Technology and Education Journal, 4(1), 22–29. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.672104
Tchernegovski, P., Reupert, A. & Maybery, D. (2015). “Let’s Talk about Children”: A pilot evaluation of an e-learning resource for mental health clinicians. Clinical Psychologist, 19(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12050
Tezci, E. & İçen, M. (2017). High school students’ social media usage habits. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(27), 99–111.
Tomás-Miquel, J.V., Expósito-Langa, M. & Nicolau-Juliá, D. (2015). The influence of relationship networks on academic performance in higher education: a comparative study between students of a creative and a non-creative discipline. Higher Education, 71(3), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-015-9904-8
Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L. & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among US adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical psychological science, 6(1), 3-17.
U.S. Department of Education (2021). Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs. https://www2.ed.gov/documents/students/supporting-child-student-social-emotional-behavioral-mental-health.pdf
Valkenburg, P. M., Pouwels, J. L., Beyens, I., van Driel, I. I. & Keijsers, L. (2021). Adolescents’ social media experiences and their self-esteem: A person-specific susceptibility perspective. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2(2).
Valkenburg, P. M., Pouwels, J. L., Beyens, I., van Driel, I. I. & Keijsers, L. (2021). Adolescents’ Social Media Experiences and Their Self-Esteem: A Person-Specific Susceptibility Perspective. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000037
Van Den Bedem, N. P., Rieffe, C., Willems, D., Dockrell, J. E. & Van Alphen, P. M. (2019). Interrelation between empathy and friendship development during (pre)adolescence and the moderating effect of developmental language disorder: A longitudinal study. Social Development, 28(3), 599–619. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12353
Vannucci, A., Flannery, K. M. & Ohannessian, C. M. (2017). Social media use and anxiety in emerging adults. Journal of affective disorders, 207, 163-166.
Vannucci, A., Flannery, K. M. & Ohannessian, C. M. (2017). Social media use and anxiety in emerging adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 163–166.
Wei, F.Y. F., Wang, Y. K. & Klausner, M. (2012). Rethinking College Students’ Self-Regulation and Sustained Attention:Does Text Messaging During Class Influence Cognitive Learning? Communication Education, 61(3), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2012.672755
WHO. (2008). The Global Burden of Disease: 2004 Update. World Health Organization
Woods, H. C. & Scott, H. (2016). Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of adolescence, 51, 41-49.
Woods, H. C. & Scott, H. (2016). Sleepyteens: social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of Adolescence, 51, 41–49.
Zozaya-Durazo, L., Feijoo, B. & Sádaba-Chalezquer, C. (2023). Social Media Influencers Defined by Adolescents. KOME, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.17646/kome.of.4
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Benjamin Obeng Konadu, Philimon Zaagbil, Eric Kusi, Isaiah Aduse-Poku, Yaa Adubia Yeboah, Ruth Achiaa Adu, Courtney A. Holliday Boyd
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
