MENTAL HEALTH IN THE DIGITAL AGE: IMPACTS OF EXCESSIVE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON PSYCHIATRIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The widespread use of social media has transformed the way individuals, especially children, adolescents, and young adults, interact, consume information, and construct identity. Although these platforms offer benefits related to connectivity and access to knowledge, excessive use has been associated with negative repercussions on mental health, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, changes in self-image, and an increased risk of behavioral addiction. Such effects are particularly concerning during critical stages of neurodevelopment, when there is greater vulnerability to social pressures and digital reinforcement. The objective of this study is to analyze the impacts of excessive social media use on psychiatric development, highlighting clinical manifestations, the neuropsychological mechanisms involved, and implications for mental health prevention and intervention. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical literature review. Articles published between 2018 and 2025 in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were included, covering epidemiological studies, systematic reviews, clinical trials, and neuroscience research. Recent evidence indicates a significant correlation between excessive use of social media and increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, with an emphasis on feelings of inadequacy, negative social comparison, and loneliness. Longitudinal studies indicate that adolescents with longer screen time are at greater risk for mood disorders and self-harming behaviors, especially in vulnerable groups, such as those with a history of bullying or low self-esteem. From a neurobiological point of view, continuous exposure to digital reinforcers (likes, notifications) is associated with hyperactivation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, favoring patterns of compulsive use similar to those observed in chemical dependencies. This mechanism compromises emotional regulation and is related to greater impulsivity and attentional difficulties. Other impacts include sleep disturbances (due to exposure to blue light and nighttime use), impaired school performance, and increased vulnerability to body image disorders, such as digital dysmorphia and eating disorders. Proposed intervention strategies include psychoeducation, promotion of conscious and limited screen use, cognitive-behavioral therapies adapted to the digital context, and the need for public policies that regulate algorithms, targeted advertising, and youth exposure to harmful content. Therefore, excessive use of social media is an emerging risk factor for psychiatric development, associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and behavioral addiction. The clinical and social response requires a multidisciplinary approach, with integration between health professionals, schools, and families, aiming to promote a balanced and healthy use of digital technologies. Investments in preventive programs, regulation of digital platforms, and longitudinal research are essential to mitigate the impacts of the digital age on mental health.