Ultimately

The broader contexts in which individuals exist, including cultural norms, economic conditions, and power structures, shape the social mechanisms that contribute to depression among social media users. For instance, cultural norms around beauty standards, success, and happiness influence individuals' self-perception and contribute to feelings of inadequacy and depression when comparing themselves to others on social media; individuals facing financial hardships experience higher levels of stress and anxiety when exposed to the materialistic nature of social media; and perpetuating inequalities and marginalizing certain groups leads to increased vulnerability to depression (Keleş et al., 2019).

In conclusion, Max Weber's methodological individualism theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the complex connection between young individuals' use of social media and mental health disorders like depression. The theory directs researchers to explore the social mechanisms and processes that either trigger or prevent depression in the context of social media use by emphasizing the examination of one's behavior, social relations, and the broader societal context. From the wide literature, it is clear that social comparison, fear of missing out, and cyberbullying are some mechanisms through which social media use contributes to depression. However, these social mechanisms and processes are highly contingent on the individual's agency and decision-making, personality traits, behaviors, and experiences, as well as broader contexts such as cultural norms, economic conditions, and power structures.