This research is a phenomenological study that explored the perceptions of high school students in Killarney, a

suburb of Bulawayo Zimbabwe, on the impact of social media usage (YouTube, Instagram and TikTok). The

aim of the study is to investigate the perceptions of high school students in Killarney regarding the impact of

social media usage. Interviews and focus group discussions were used as the primary method of data collection.

A diverse group of 12 high school students was selected as the sample population. The data gathered from the

interviews and focus group discussions was then analyzed to identify recurring themes and patterns. The

findings of the study reveal that the students expressed concerns about the negative consequences, such as

More research has also cited increase in levels mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness,

cyberbullying, and peer pressure among teenagers because of social media [8]. However, the impact of social

media on high school learners in Killarney, a suburb in Bulawayo Zimbabwe remains unexplored. The

increasing availability and accessibility of social media platforms have led to a significant rise in the amount of

time adolescents spend engaging with these platforms [11]. High school students are particularly vulnerable to

the allure of social media due to their desire for social acceptance, peer influence, and the need to stay

connected with their social networks. The mental health of high school students is a growing concern, and

social media has been implicated as a potential contributing factor. Excessive social media usage has been

associated with various mental health issues such as increased levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, body

3. To explore ways to mitigate the negative impact of social media usage on high school students’ mental

health

The population under study is high school students residing in Killarney, a medium density suburb in

Bulawayo. The number of high school students in this area is not documented as such the population size

could not be established. For sampling, two sampling methods were employed, namely the convenience

sampling technique Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling method where data is collected from

an easily accessible and available group of people. Twelve individuals who made the sample size were selected

media on high school students was discussed based on phenomenological encounters.

The first step was to request for permission from the university to conduct the study. Since the research was

not conducted in the school premises but at the homes of the high school learners, custodians of the learner

were the next stop, the researcher sought their permission before proceeding with the study.

The researcher began the sampling process by identifying high school children who reside in

Killarney. This was be done by requesting those teenagers already known to the researcher to help recruit their

peers in the neighborhood. Once the sampling process is done, the next step was to seek informed consent

from the parents or guardians of the teenagers in the sample size for their participation in the study. Thereafter,

convenient dates for data collection will be discussed with the participants.

For the study on the perceptions of high school students on social media usage and its impact on their mental

health, a phenomenological research design was well-suited. Phenomenology is a qualitative research approach

that focuses on understanding the subjective experiences, meanings, and essences of individuals related to a

particular phenomenon. Phenomenology allows researchers to explore the lived experiences and perspectives

of high school students regarding social media usage and its impact on their mental health in a holistic and in-

depth manner. It seeks to uncover the essence of their experiences and how they make sense of the

phenomenon under investigation. In this study, the phenomenological research design involved conducting in-

depth interviews and focus group discussions with high school students to explore their perceptions, beliefs,

and subjective experiences related to social media usage and its impact on their mental health. The questions

By employing a phenomenological research design, the study provided rich and nuanced insights into how

high school students perceive and make sense of their social media usage and its impact on their mental health.

It allows for an exploration of the subjective realities of the participants, highlighting their unique perspectives

and lived experiences. Like other forms of qualitative research designs, the researcher sought to explore,

understand and present the participants' perspectives and get close to them in their own natural environment [3].

Interaction between participants and the researcher is required to produce data, which is an indication of the

researcher's level of connection to and being immersed in the field. Because of this, constructivism and

interpretivist commonly flow through the execution of this research design. The researcher's perceptions and

interpretations become part of the research and as a result, a subjective and interpretive inclination runs

throughout the inquiry [3]. Subjectivity is openly acknowledged and to manage this, the researcher embraces a

reflexive position within the study, adopting methods such as journaling that support this position.

Thematic analysis is a qualitative data analysis method used to identify, analyze, and interpret patterns or

The respondents were asked to provide their background information such as gender, age and education level.

In terms of gender; 7 of the respondents were male while 5 were female. The disparity between genders is not

significant to be considered as influencing the outcomes of the study. The participants of this present study

included people from different age groups. There were 3 students distributed across four age groups; thirteen

(13), fourteen (14), fifteen (15) and sixteen (16) years. This was done to give the researcher a comprehensive

picture of the impact of social media on high school students.

The beliefs and attitudes towards social media usage among high school students in Killarney Suburb,

and real-world social interactions Attitude belief Students shared the belief that social media can grow into an

addiction that affects their productivity, academic performance and real-life social interactions. One student’s

report embodied the subjective perspectives of others when she recounted that:

“Social media can be addictive, and some students may find it challenging to strike a balance between online

and offline activities. Excessive social media consumption can lead to a decrease in real-world social

interactions, affecting our interpersonal skills and relationships...” Student E: Female; Aged 15

“Some students in our community tend to spend too much time on social media, which can lead to a decrease

in productivity and academic performance.” Student I: Male; Aged 14

From this emerging theme, the researcher observed a belief and attitude that social media can be grow into an

addiction that affects their productivity, academic performance and real-life social interactions.

The pressure to maintain a perfect online image and the prevalence of cyberbullying are significant concerns.

However, there were concerns reported regarding the negative impact of social media. It was noted that some

students become overly dependent on social media for validation and self-worth, seeking constant likes and

students. It is essential for us to promote responsible and ethical social media usage and create a supportive

online environment.

information, networking, and exploring different perspectives. They acknowledge that it can enhance

positive change..." Student K: Male; Aged 16

"It allows us to stay connected with friends, share moments, and discover new interests. Social media

platforms can be a source of inspiration and creativity, with students showcasing their talents and engaging in

positive discussions. It also serves as a valuable source of information and a way to stay updated on current

events." Student B: Female; aged 14

Data collected in relation to the positive beliefs and attitudes students in Killarney had in relation to the impact

of social media coincided around the three sub themes namely enhanced communication, information sharing

and self-expression (creativity).

self-expression and creativity, but also exposing individuals to a range of risks and challenges. The following

"I think social media can be both helpful and harmful. It provides a platform for self-expression and

sharing ideas, but it also exposes students to cyberbullying and the pressure to maintain a perfect online

image." Student G: Female; Aged 16

Students coincided on the view that social media is a conduit for enhanced communication, connectivity and

account articulately captured and summed the sentiments echoed by his other counterpart when he recounted:

articles and research papers. It offers a platform for sharing knowledge and learning from experts in

various fields... It's important to utilize social media in a way that promotes learning and growth, rather

than just mindless scrolling. By following educational accounts and engaging in constructive

conversations, we can make the most of the educational opportunities that social media provides.”

discussions. One student poignantly elaborated this narrative summing the echoed views of her peers:

or pursuing hobbies and interests. It's important to find a balance and not let social media consume our

lives. Student D: Female; Aged 16

It was common theme from the all students that social media has significantly influenced how high school

students perceive themselves. The constant exposure to carefully curated and filtered posts can create

unrealistic beauty standards and contribute to a culture of comparison. Students argued that they feel the need

to conform to these standards and portray an idealized version of them, which has many times impacted their

self-esteem and self-worth. It was observed that:

Students agreed that one significant consequence is the risk of developing anxiety and depression. They added

our community. One of my friends became increasingly anxious and stressed out due to the constant pressure