Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

McAllister, Carolyn.

Abstract

With the increased usage of social media among individuals, this has raised concerns about its impact on the mental health symptoms of the younger population. Previous research has shown the impact of social media on adolescents' depression and anxiety; however, there is limited research showing the impact on younger school-aged children. The purpose of this study will be to examine the relationship between social media use and mental health symptoms among school-aged children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The proposed research study will seek to address gaps in previous research by analyzing a wider age range and more diverse subgroups through collecting demographic data. A quantitative explanatory research design would be used to obtain measurable data through questionnaires. Participants, such as students and caregivers, would be recruited from a Southern California school district using stratified random sampling. The data would be collected using a survey on social media and well-being and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). The findings would help support social work practice by researching possible risk factors that can affect school-aged children’s mental health, guiding the development of interventions and prevention measures.

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