The Hidden Side of Digital Inclusion: Psychological Barriers to Competence in Social Media Use

Digital inclusion extends beyond access to platforms—it requires individuals to feel competent and autonomous in online spaces. While much research focuses on how social media affects mental health, this study examines the inverse: how poor mental health shapes experiences of digital participation. Drawing on self-determination theory, we analyze the effects of sleep quality, anxiety, and depression on perceived social media competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Results from a structural equation model show that anxiety and depression reduce competence and autonomy, while poor sleep undermines relatedness. Age moderates the link between relatedness and competence, with older users reporting lower perceived competence. These findings suggest that internal psychological states act as hidden barriers to digital inclusion, especially across age groups. The study contributes to conversations on identity and inclusion by highlighting how mental health influences one’s ability to engage meaningfully in social media environments.