Scrolling and Self-Perception

A Qualitative Study on Social Media and Mental Health in Young Adults

Abstract

This study looks at how social media affects mental health in young people, with a focus

on racial and cultural influences. Two focus groups were held over Zoom with eight college

students in the United States, ages 19 to 23. The students were Chinese American and African

American, from the Washington, D.C., and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina areas. They were

asked to talk about their thoughts and feelings related to social media. The conversations were

recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to find common patterns. Findings indicated that students

had three big concerns: Comparing themselves to others online, social media being more of a

distraction rather than a tool, and feeling tired or stressed from overuse of social media. Notably,

racial identity shaped these experiences—African American students described witnessing more

online harassment but also feeling empowered to speak up, while Asian American students

tended to internalize their discomfort or stay silent. This study shows that social media can

sometimes harm mental health and that support should focus on helping teens handle these

emotional challenges with attention to cultural differences.