Social media has become an integral part of modern life, particularly for the younger generation. Beyond its benefits as a tool for communication, information sharing, and self-expression, social media also creates opportunities for misuse that negatively impact users' psychological, social, and moral well-being. This study aims to examine the various forms of social media misuse, the underlying causes, and the resulting impacts by reviewing relevant scholarly sources. The findings indicate that social media misuse manifests in forms such as addiction, the spread of hoaxes, cyberbullying, hate speech, and the exploitation of personal data. Contributing factors include a lack of digital literacy, insufficient parental supervision, and social pressure to remain constantly connected (fear of missing out). The consequences include mental health issues—such as anxiety and depression—reduced productivity, and the deterioration of real-world social relationships. Preventive measures require strengthening digital literacy, providing education on social media ethics, enforcing strict regulations, and fostering the active involvement of families and educational institutions. This study is intended to serve as a reference for formulating more comprehensive strategies to mitigate social media misuse.
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