A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE PATTERNS ON ANXIETY LEVELS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

College students' everyday lives now revolve on social media, which has a significant impact on their relationships and general mental health. Despite its many advantages, there is rising worry about the relationship between specific social media usage patterns and higher anxiety levels in this population, particularly when consumption is excessive or problematic. By carefully examining the relationship between certain social media usage patterns—differentiating between passive consumption and active participation—and anxiety levels among college students between the ages of 18 and 25, this quantitative study directly addresses these issues. In order to better understand this complex connection between them, the study also looks at important psychological factors that have related effects, such as social comparison, perceived stress, sleep quality, and FOMO. By analyzing various sources, the study intends to give an in-depth understanding of how social media affects the mental health of young adults, providing insightful information for future support and intervention strategies.