ARCHIVES
VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 (2025)
The neurological effects of Social Media Platforms on the mental well-being of children: A systematic review
Authors
Raghad Ali Alsufyani
Abstract
The rapid proliferation of social media
platforms has raised growing concern regarding their impact on the neurological
development and mental well-being of children. This systematic review aimed to
synthesize current evidence on the relationship between social media use and
neuropsychological outcomes in individuals under 18 years of age. Comprehensive
searches were conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed,
PsycINFO, and Scopus, for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Inclusion
criteria encompassed empirical research examining neuroimaging findings,
cognitive function, emotional regulation, and behavioral outcomes associated
with social media exposure in children. A total of 42 studies met the inclusion
criteria, comprising longitudinal, cross-sectional, and experimental designs.
Key findings indicate that excessive social media use is correlated with
alterations in brain regions associated with reward processing, attention
regulation, and emotional control, including the prefrontal cortex and
amygdala. Children with high-frequency social
Bulgaria media engagement exhibited increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and attentional difficulties, while moderate, structured use appeared to have minimal adverse effects. Furthermore, neuroimaging studies revealed heightened activation in neural circuits related to social evaluation and peer feedback, suggesting that social media interactions may reinforce both positive and negative emotional responses. Overall, the evidence underscores a nuanced relationship whereby social media can influence neural development and psychological functioning, contingent upon duration, content, and contextual factors. These findings highlight the necessity for parents, educators, and policymakers to implement age-appropriate guidelines and interventions aimed at promoting healthy digital engagement. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs and standardized metrics to clarify causal mechanisms and long-term effects.
Bulgaria media engagement exhibited increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and attentional difficulties, while moderate, structured use appeared to have minimal adverse effects. Furthermore, neuroimaging studies revealed heightened activation in neural circuits related to social evaluation and peer feedback, suggesting that social media interactions may reinforce both positive and negative emotional responses. Overall, the evidence underscores a nuanced relationship whereby social media can influence neural development and psychological functioning, contingent upon duration, content, and contextual factors. These findings highlight the necessity for parents, educators, and policymakers to implement age-appropriate guidelines and interventions aimed at promoting healthy digital engagement. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs and standardized metrics to clarify causal mechanisms and long-term effects.
Download
Pages:21-26
How to cite this article:
Raghad Ali Alsufyani "The neurological effects of Social Media Platforms on the mental well-being of children: A systematic review". World Journal of Neurology, Vol 1, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 21-26
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.