The impact of news and social media on depression and anxiety among public university students in Dhaka City

In the contemporary digital age, news and social media have become integral components of the daily lives of university students. This study aims to explore the intricate relationship between media exposure, mainly through news and social media platforms, and the frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms among students who are enrolled in public universities in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. For this purpose, 160 students from eight public universities in Dhaka and six mental health professionals were selected using convenience sampling for data collection to explore and gain insights from this relationship. The study involves a mixed-methods approach, linking surveys and interviews with students from various public universities and mental health professionals in Dhaka City. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires to assess the frequency and nature of media exposure, the patterns and frequency of consuming news and social media, and the frequency of experiencing anxiety and depression among the students. At the same time, qualitative interviews provide deeper insights into students' perceptions and professionals’ experiences regarding media exposure and mental health. Preliminary findings suggest a complex interplay between media exposure and mental health outcomes. Severe levels of exposure to distressing news content and excessive use of social media platforms are linked with heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety in students. These findings underscore the necessity for media literacy programmes and mental health support services tailored to the unique needs of this demographic. This research argues for the media literacy and coping strategies, shedding light on how students who possess better media literacy skills and healthier coping mechanisms are more resilient to media exposure’s negative mental health impacts.