The Influence of Social Media Usage on Student Anxiety Levels

Social media plays a significant role in university students' lives, offering opportunities for communication, academic collaboration, and entertainment. While it provides benefits, excessive use has been associated with increased anxiety levels, especially in young adults. This study aims to examine how different types of social media use—such as social interaction, entertainment, and academic achievement—influence anxiety levels among Nangarhar University students in Afghanistan. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed with 105 undergraduate students at Nangarhar University. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire, which included measures for social media usage and anxiety (GAD-7). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression were used for data analysis. The study found that social media use for entertainment significantly predicted higher anxiety levels. In contrast, social interaction and academic use of social media showed no significant effect on anxiety. The findings suggest that entertainment-driven engagement with social media contributes to emotional strain, while social interaction and academic use appear to have a neutral impact. This study highlights the potential negative impact of entertainment-focused social media use on student anxiety. The findings suggest the need for balanced social media use, increased digital literacy, and enhanced mental health support within university settings.