Social Media—The Emotional and Mental Roller-Coaster of Gen Z: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The current pandemic situation has increased the utility and use of social media in society. Higher usage of digital and social media influences the mental and emotional health of the users. Mental health is the reflection of the mind that understands and experiences information. Emotional health exhibits the capacity to express and manage emotions. Based on the displacement hypothesis and gratifications theory, this study attempts to investigate the impact of social media on mental and emotional health among a section of Gen Z (15–24 years) in Bangalore city. Earlier studies have established an association between social media usage and mental health issues; however, the current study goes down to a granular level by measuring the mental and emotional health of Gen Z in pre- and current pandemic situations. A randomized block experiment and structural equation modeling was done using primary data collected from 350 Gen Z category adults through a structured questionnaire. Findings show that there are changes in mental and emotional health conditions between pre- and current pandemic times and in general social media use is likely to affect the mental and emotional health of Gen Z. Future research would also pave the way to improve these conditions caused on Gen Z by social media.KeywordsMental HealthEmotional HealthGen ZSocial Media usagePre- and post-pandemic