THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN URBAN YOUTH

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media platforms has transformed the social fabric of urban youth, reshaping the ways in which young people form, sustain, and interpret interpersonal relationships. This study investigates the nuanced impact of social media usage on emotional bonding, communication patterns, conflict dynamics, and overall relationship quality among adolescents and young adults living in urban environments. Drawing on survey data, in-depth interviews, and behavioral observations, the research reveals that while social media offers unprecedented opportunities for connection, creative expression, and community building, it simultaneously introduces new forms of relational strain. Many participants reported that online interactions often supplement face-to-face communication, enabling continuous contact and reinforcing friendships. However, the convenience of digital communication also encourages superficial engagement, leading to shorter attention spans, reduced emotional depth, and an increased dependence on virtual validation. A recurring theme across the findings is the tension between visibility and vulnerability. Urban youth frequently experience pressure to curate socially desirable online identities, which not only distorts authentic self-expression but also contributes to comparison-based stress and lowered self-esteem. Romantic relationships, in particular, are notably affected by issues of online surveillance, ambiguous boundaries, and misinterpretations stemming from digital cues. The constant accessibility afforded by smartphones creates expectations of immediate response, intensifying conflicts and fostering patterns of emotional overdependence. The study also highlights socio-cultural influences on digital relational dynamics. Urban youth from diverse backgrounds often utilize social media to navigate identity, belonging, and peer-group hierarchies; yet these same platforms amplify cyberbullying, social exclusion, and rumor propagation. While the research found that social media can strengthen long-distance friendships and offer safe spaces for marginalized groups, it can also reinforce isolation when online interactions replace meaningful offline engagement. Notably, youth who demonstrated balanced digital habits showed stronger emotional intelligence and healthier communication strategies compared to peers with excessive or compulsive social media use. Overall, the findings underscore that the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships among urban youth is neither entirely detrimental nor universally beneficial. Instead, its effects are deeply context-dependent, influenced by individual personality traits, platform-specific cultures, and the social pressures inherent in urban environments. The study concludes that fostering digital literacy, emotional resilience, and guided social media use may be critical to helping young people navigate increasingly hybrid modes of human connection.