Social Bonding and Mental Health Impacts of Virtual Communities: An Analysis of Addictive Social Media Behaviors among Adolescents in Delhi NCR

Abstract

The rapid expansion of virtual communities and social media platforms has transformed the ways in which adolescents interact, form relationships, and construct their social identities. While these platforms provide opportunities for connectivity and self-expression, they also create addictive patterns of usage that significantly affect mental health. This study, titled “Social Bonding and Mental Health Impacts of Virtual Communities: An Analysis of Addictive Social Media Behaviors among Adolescents in Delhi NCR,” examines the psychological and social consequences of excessive digital engagement among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in the Delhi National Capital Region. Employing a descriptive and exploratory research design, the study surveyed 200 adolescent respondents selected through purposive sampling, focusing on their screen-time patterns, parental involvement, peer interactions, and awareness of digital well-being. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS, applying frequency distribution, correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing. The findings reveal that while social media fosters a sense of belonging and peer validation, it also induces chaotic social bonding, characterized by unstable emotional attachments, irritability, restlessness, and low self-esteem. These outcomes highlight the growing vulnerability of urban adolescents to anxiety, depression, and digital dependency. The study emphasizes the urgent need for digital literacy campaigns, school-based interventions, and family counseling programs to mitigate the adverse impacts of virtual communities on adolescent mental health.