YOUTH, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND DIGITAL OVERSTIMULATION: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL EFFECTS

Abstract

The rapid rise of social media has transformed how young people connect, learn, and construct identity, but its overuse has raised growing concerns. This study presents a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of research on excessive social media use among youth, with particular focus on psychological and behavioral outcomes. Findings reveal a clear shift in research: earlier work emphasized broad concerns such as sleep disruption, procrastination, and addictive use, whereas more recent studies highlight deeper issues including anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, FoMo, multitasking, and academic decline. Emerging themes such as media burnout, withdrawal from offline life, and the pressures of influencer-driven comparison point to new challenges in understanding digital overstimulation. By mapping research trends and synthesizing evidence, this review underscores the dual importance of theory and practice: advancing knowledge of youth vulnerabilities while guiding interventions in education, policy, and mental health to foster healthier digital engagement.