Technical Difficulties: An Investigation of Problematic Social Media Usage and Well-Being of Emerging Adults

Grounded in previous scholarship investigating the relationship between social media use and psychoemotional outcomes, this study conceptualizes and tests a comprehensive model that constellates predictive factors (i.e., time spent, platforms selected, purposes of use, and emotional regulation abilities) and negative behavioral and emotional outcomes (i.e., addiction and emotional affect), specifically among emerging adults (ages 18-29). A survey of 591 respondents revealed that high usage of certain platforms (i.e., Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook), alongside individual emotional regulation abilities and passivity of social media use, predicts higher levels of addiction and negative emotional outcomes. Additional findings indicate significant differences in social media patterns between age and gender categories among emerging adults. The findings of this study offer translational insights for social media developers, legislators, and stakeholders interested in promoting healthier social media habits by mitigating negative effects, advocating for more mindful social media engagement, and developing policy measures to protect vulnerable users.