Narrative review links social media use to mixed mental health outcomes in college students

With the rapid development and popularization of mobile internet technology, social media has deeply embedded itself into the daily lives and social patterns of contemporary college students, exerting complex and profound effects on their mental health. This topic has become a research hotspot in psychology, education, and public health. This article aims to systematically review the current research status on the dual effects of social media use on college students’ mental health. The review first outlines the background of social media as an important social medium and its prevalence and significance among college students. It then focuses on analyzing the positive psychological effects revealed by existing studies on social media use, such as expanding social support networks and enhancing a sense of belonging, as well as its potential negative risks, particularly its association with anxiety, depression, fluctuations in self-esteem, changes in real-life social skills, and social media dependence, which are core indicators of mental health. By integrating the latest empirical research findings, this article explores the psychological mechanisms behind these effects and proposes targeted educational guidance and psychological intervention suggestions based on existing evidence gaps and practical issues. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional and complex relationship between social media and college students’ mental health, offering theoretical references and practical bases for the development of mental health education in universities and the formulation of relevant clinical intervention strategies.