Social networks and adolescent mental health: a literature review

Abstract

Due to its negative effects on the psychosocial functioning of adolescents, excessive use of social networks is currently considered a mental health risk. The main objective of the study was to analyze the literature on social networks and adolescent mental health. A content analysis method was used to conduct a bibliographic study, fifteen articles (n=15) were selected from major databases such as Scopus, Scielo and Web of Science using the established inclusion/exclusion criteria. The bibliographic analysis allowed understanding aspects of the transformation of data into information, combined with reasoning to generate knowledge. It is concluded that the excessive use of social networks in adolescents is increasing, which generates the development of new diseases mainly of a mental nature, therefore, it is essential that health professionals address the growing problem for a rapid and effective intervention.