This study aims to explore the impact of social media use on mental health risk among Chinese adolescents. Through a qualitative study of second-year undergraduates at a university, this paper analyzed their reflections on high school and freshman life during adolescence, focusing on the relationship between the frequency and quality of social media use, content type, degree of addiction, and mental health risk. The study found that social media use was positively associated with the risk of depression, anxiety and psychological distress, especially in the behavioral patterns of social comparison and approval seeking. In addition, this study explored the possibility of mitigating the negative effects of social media by enhancing digital literacy and mental health awareness. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting the mental health of adolescents in China. This study sheds light on the complex role of social media in adolescent mental health problems, accentuating the importance of families and schools in guiding adolescents to healthy use of social media.
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