Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: In recent years, the impact of social media use on adolescents’ psychosocial development has been the subject of increasing interest. The fact that processes such as the development of social identity and the construction of emotional relationships are carried out through digital platforms makes this period particularly critical in terms of social media. However, it is suggested that uncontrolled use may negatively affect emotional awareness and regulation skills. Alexithymia, defined as difficulty in recognizing, distinguishing, and expressing emotions, is a noteworthy concept in this context. Studies have shown positive correlations between social media use disorder and alexithymia. Material and Methods: In this review study, Turkish and English articles published between 2018 and 2025 were examined. These were selected based on searches conducted between March 2025 and April 2025 in databases including Türk Medline, Türk Psikiyatri Dizini, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct, using the keywords “alexithymia, adolescence, social media addiction, emotional confusion.” A total of 12 studies that investigated the relationship between social media use and alexithymia in adolescents were included in the analysis. The studies were evaluated using content analysis methodology. Results and Discussion: The majority of the reviewed studies reported that as the duration of social media use increases, alexithymia levels also rise. Decreased ability to recognize and express emotions, reduced empathy levels, and difficulties in social relationships were commonly reported outcomes. Furthermore, significant associations were found between alexithymia and social anxiety, autism spectrum disorder symptoms, and dissociative tendencies. Intensive social media use may reinforce alexithymia by weakening emotional awareness. Conclusion: Regulating social media habits and identifying alexithymia at an early age are crucial for supporting the emotional development of adolescents. Keywords: Adolescence, social media addiction, alexithymia, emotional ambivalence
Institution: Yüksek İhtisas Üniversitesi
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7128166265