Influence of Social Networking Platforms on Psychological Well-Being Among B.Sc. Nursing Students

Abstract

Social media has become an integral part of daily life, particularly among students. Nursing students frequently utilize social media for academic and communication purposes. While it offers advantages such as knowledge enhancement and connectivity, excessive use may negatively affect mental health. The study aimed to assess the impact of social media usage on mental health among B.Sc. nursing students. A quantitative descriptive design was adopted among 76 students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed a high impact on knowledge (3.82±0.86), a moderate impact on relaxation (3.50±0.74), connectivity (3.43±1.04), and concentration (3.16±0.90), and a low impact on addiction (2.41±0.85). The study concludes that social media has both positive and negative effects and emphasizes balanced usage. In the modern educational environment, social media platforms are increasingly used for academic collaboration, communication, entertainment, and professional networking. Nursing students, in particular, rely on digital platforms to access educational videos, clinical demonstrations, online discussions, and health-related information. The increased accessibility of smartphones and internet services has made social media usage a regular part of students’ daily routines. Although these platforms support learning and peer interaction, excessive exposure may contribute to stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and reduced concentration. Mental health among nursing students is a major concern because of demanding academic schedules and clinical responsibilities. Therefore, understanding the influence of social media on mental well-being is important for developing awareness regarding responsible digital behavior. The present study was conducted among B.Sc. nursing students to assess the impact of social media usage on different dimensions of mental health, including concentration, addiction, relaxation, knowledge, and connectivity. A quantitative descriptive research design was used with convenient sampling techniques. The results indicated that social media positively improved knowledge and connectivity while moderately affecting concentration and relaxation. Addiction levels remained comparatively low among the participants. The study highlights the need for balanced social media usage and suggests educational interventions that promote healthy digital habits among nursing students.