MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: UNDERSTANDING THE NEUROLOGICAL AND SOCIETAL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA OVERUSE

In Ghana, a silent mental health crisis is intensifying amid a surge in digital media consumption, particularly among the youth. As smart phone ownership rose from 42% to 61% and daily social media use increased from 2.4 to 4.1 hours between 2020 and 2024, reported cases of depression climbed from 28% to 53%, and anxiety disorders from 23% to 49%, signaling a direct and alarming connection. This study investigated how excessive use, negative social comparison, and online harassment contribute to declining mental health outcomes-namely depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive decline-moderated by socioeconomic status. Using a quantitative design based on secondary data from 105 validated national sources, inferential statistics revealed strong correlations: excessive use (r = 0.712), online harassment (r = 0.683), and negative comparison (r = 0.648), with an overall model R² of 0.69. Regression confirmed excessive use as the strongest predictor (β = 0.491, p < 0.001), while socioeconomic status negatively influenced outcomes (β = -0.377). These findings confirm that digital overuse is a statistically significant driver of deteriorating mental health, especially among low-income and less-educated youth. The results imply an urgent need for policy reforms, digital literacy programs, and AI-powered support systems to safeguard mental health. Accordingly, the study recommends regulatory screen-time limits, integration of digital hygiene in school curricula, and expansion of mobile counseling services to rural populations.