Amen Ilevbare

This study examines the negative impact of social media usage on the mental health of students at the University of Benin. The research was driven by the growing integration of social media into students’ daily lives and the potential psychological risks associated with excessive use. It aims to explore how patterns of social media engagement af ect students’ mental well-being, self-esteem, and body image, as well as to identify protective factors that can help mitigate these negative impacts. The study recognizes that while social media serves as a tool forcommunication, learning, and self-expression, it also exposes students to issues such as anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and social comparison, which can contribute to poor mental healthoutcomes. Existing literature reveals a complex relationship between social media and mental health, showing that prolonged exposure to curated online content can distort perceptions of reality, increase stress, and promote addictive behaviors. The research draws on the Cultivation Theory, which explains how continuous engagement with media shapes individuals’ understanding of the world. In this context, students who spend excessive time on social media are more likely to internalize unrealistic standards and negative social comparisons, af ecting their psychological well-being. The study also highlights how digital habits, such as late-night browsing and excessive screen time, can disrupt sleep patterns and overall mental stability. An explanatory research design was adopted to analyze the relationship between social media usage and students’ mental health. A sample of 150 University of Benin students was selected using Yamane’s formula, and data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies. percentages and bar charts were employed for analysis. The findings suggest that the current usage of social media platforms has accounted for mental
health issues, ranging from the increased time spent on the different social media platforms daily, creating an unsterilized mental health for these students. In conclusion the findings revealed that the sample size has experienced one mental health issue to another from using social media. The findings provided recommendations to check and regulate the negative impacts of social media, time limits, social media detox, engagement in of line activities and actively choosing who to follow.

This study examined the influence of socio-cultural factors on stress management among undergraduates in the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by the growing concern over the increasing rate of stress among university students and the limited attention given to the socio-cultural dimensions that influence stress experiences and coping mechanisms. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to allow for the collection of data from a large and diverse population of students. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to a purposive sample of 100 undergraduates drawn from various faculties of the university. The instrument was divided into sections covering demographic characteristics, triggers of stress, stress prevalence, socio-cultural influences, and stress management techniques. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages to interpret students’ responses. The findings revealed that academic workload, financial challenges, family expectations, and peer pressure were the major stressors among students. The study further showed that female students experienced higher levels of stress than their male counterparts