Excessive use of social media related to mental health and decreased sleep quality in students

Abstract

Objective: To identify in the literature the relationship between the use of social media by students and its impact on mental health and sleep quality. Methods: Integrative literature review in databases such as PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Acervo+ Index Base and Cochrane Library, including cross-sectional observational studies published from 2015 to 2021. The PICOS anagram was used (patient, intervention, comparison, result and type of study) to identify the research question. Results: A total of 2,144 articles were identified through databases and only 11 articles were included in this review. All studies located state that excessive use of social media before bedtime can impair sleep quality and negatively affect mental and physical health. Final considerations: It is necessary to make students, families and health professionals aware of the healthy use of social media. Compromised sleep quality can lead to cognitive, mood and learning impairments, in addition to influencing behavioral aspects such as irritability and reduced school performance. It is essential that actions are promoted that aim at a balance in the use of technologies and social media, aiming to protect the mental and physical health of students.