From likes to anxiety: The effect of social media usage and in-formation overload on university students’ mental health

The widespread and excessive usage of social media among university students has caused significant awareness about its impact on mental health, specifically when connected with information overload. This study explores the interrelationship between social media usage and information overload on university students’ mental health disorders (stress, anxiety, and depression). Based on theoretical frameworks such as Cognitive Load Theory and Social Comparison Theory (SCT), the study explores how pervasive usage of social media contributes to mental health disorders with the mediating role of information overload. This mediator factor (information overload) offers a more thorough theoretical understanding of the underlying processes through which social media platforms (SMPs) can influence mental well-being. A quantitative research design survey surveyed 420 higher education students, and the data obtained was analyzed with PLS-SEM. The findings disclose that social media usage and information overload are linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The study underlines the dual function of social media usage as both a means of connection and a driver of mental health disorders, highlighting the urgent need for approaches to mitigate the adverse impacts of information overload. These outcomes have significant implications for mental health professionals, professors, and higher education policymakers in advancing interventions to foster the well-being of university students in the information age.