SOCIAL MEDIA ANXIETY AMONG FILIPINO YOUTH

The qualitative approach was deemed appropriate because the study focused on understanding the emotional experiences, behavioral patterns, and psychological responses associated with social media engagement in contemporary digital environments.

Through secondary data analysis, the researcher systematically reviewed and interpreted publicly available materials such as scholarly journals, mental health reports, academic publications, online articles, and credible digital resources related to youth social media behavior and emotional well-being from 2023 to 2026. Documentary analysis was used to examine relevant written and digital materials, while thematic analysis enabled the identification of recurring themes and patterns concerning social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), online validation, emotional stress, cyber-related pressure, and digital dependency.