IMPACTOS DO USO DE REDES SOCIAIS NA SAÚDE MENTAL DE ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO MÉDIO Impacts of Social Media Use on the Mental Health of High School Students

Abstract

Social networks are web application services that allow users to create their own profiles (either publicly visible or restricted to a selected audience), which can be linked to a network of users with whom they maintain close ties. This study aimed to investigate the impacts that harmful use of social networks by young students can cause and to identify possible harm-reduction strategies. The research method was based on the application of a questionnaire about the participants’ habits (high school students from a polytechnic school) and on the analysis of the collected content in light of the literature review on the subject. The results show that social networks are highly present in students’ daily lives. Most students were aware of the harm caused by their constant use and reported having experienced these negative effects within the school environment, in their affective relationships, and in their mental health.