Social Media as a Double-Edged Blade in Addressing Sedentary Lifestyles: Supportive and Adverse Effects

BACKGROUND: Sedentary lifestyles and insufficient physical activity (PA) are major public health concerns linked to chronic disease and premature mortality. Social media has become a powerful influence on lifestyle behaviors and may both promote and hinder PA. AIM: This narrative review aims to synthesize existing evidence on the dual role of social media in shaping physical activity behaviors among sedentary populations, drawing on motivational, cognitive, and sociotechnical perspectives. METHODS: A structured search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2012 and 2025. A total of 104 eligible studies were identified and integrated using a narrative interpretive approach. RESULTS: The findings show that social media can support PA through motivation, social support, and fitness-related content, but can also encourage sedentary behavior through passive use, distraction, and social comparison. Its effects appear to depend on platform design, usage patterns, and contextual factors. CONCLUSION: The impact of social media on PA among sedentary individuals is highly context-dependent and shaped by user engagement patterns and platform design. People-centered and ethically informed digital strategies, emphasizing digital well-being and mindful engagement, are needed to leverage social media for sustainable PA promotion.