Exploring the negative impact of social media on employee mental health in Malaysia: A Delphi study

Increasing reliance on social media in the workplace has transformed communication, collaboration, and networking. However, excessive social media use can negatively impact on employees’ mental health (MH), contributing to stress, anxiety, work-life imbalance, and reduced productivity. This study systematically employed the Delphi method to examine and rank these adverse effects in Malaysia. A Delphi study was conducted with 43 experts specializing in social media and workplace MH. Key psychological stressors were identified and prioritized through two rounds of an iterative survey. Thematic analysis categorized expert insights, whereas Kendall’s coefficient of concordance assessed consensus. Six major dimensions of social media’s negative impact were identified: (1) digital overload and stress, (2) social comparison and MH, (3) work-life imbalance, (4) reduced productivity and focus, (5) negative impact on well-being and relationships, and (6) privacy and security concerns. Digital overload and stress have emerged as the most critical factors, highlighting the challenges of constant connectivity, information saturation, and workplace expectations. Social comparison-driven anxiety and blurred boundaries between personal and professional lives further exacerbate MH challenges. This study expands on the limited research on workplace social media use and employee MH in Malaysia. The Delphi method offers empirical insights into the most pressing social media-induced stressors, enabling organizations to develop actionable recommendations to balance digital connectivity with employee well-being.