Transparency and invisibility: social media and mental health

Technological innovations have been aimed at solving problems and facilitating daily activities since the dawn of mankind, simplifying and speeding up everyday tasks. This study aimed to analyze the impact of social media use on the mental health of young university students. It was a qualitative and descriptive study conducted at a private university in São Luís, Maranhão, with 17 participants aged 18-25, selected through thematic saturation. Semi-structured interviews, preceded by a sociodemographic questionnaire, were used, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that excessive use of social media, such as Instagram and TikTok, is associated with low self-esteem, anxiety, social comparison, and the pursuit of unrealistic aesthetic and behavioral standards. Despite critically recognizing the harmful effects, many participants reported difficulties in maintaining balanced use. The study concluded that social pressure and idealized models promoted by social media contribute to psychological disorders, emphasizing the need for awareness strategies to promote healthy platform use.