Dataset: Synthesizing perspectives: Crafting an Interdisciplinary view of social media's impact on young people's mental health.

This study explores the intricate relationship between social media usage and the mental health of young individuals, leveraging the insights of 492 UK school headteachers. It adopts a novel multidisciplinary approach, integrating perspectives from psychology, media studies, sociology, anthropology, linguistics, social work, philosophy, and education. The application of thematic analysis, powered by ChatGPT-4, identifies a mostly negative perspective on the impact of social media on young people, with a focus on key themes across a number of disciplines including mental health and health themes, identity formation, social interaction and comparison, bullying, digital literacy, and governance policies. These findings culminated in the development of the five-factor Comprehensive Digital Influence Model, suggesting five key themes (Self-Identity and Perception Formation, Social Interaction Skills and Peer Communication, Mental and Emotional Well-Being, Digital Literacy, Critical Thinking, and Information Perception, and Governance, Policy, and Cultural Influence in Digital Spaces) to focus the impacts of social media on young peoples’ mental health across primary and secondary educational stages. This study not only advances academic discourse across multiple disciplines but also provides practical insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals, seeking to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by social media in the digital era