Behind The Screens: The Plague of Adolescent Psychological Vulnerability

This paper investigates the effects of social media on adolescent psychological well-being, with particular emphasis on identity formation, trust, and emotional vulnerability. Integrating psychological studies with a literary analysis of William Saroyan’s The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, the paper explores parallels between moral dilemmas in literature and contemporary digital experiences. The findings underscore how online validation and comparison intensify emotional distress, reinforcing the importance of authenticity and ethical judgment in adolescent development.