Frequency Of Social Media Use Research Articles

Longitudinal Study on the Impact of Social Media on Loneliness and Psychological Well-being

In the current era of continuous scientific and technological development and societal progress, the use of social media has a profound impact on individual development. The question of whether frequent use of social media affects individuals' sense of loneliness and subjective well-being is a contentious academic issue. The practical application and trends in the development of social media are also focal points of consideration and research in contemporary societal and technological advancements. Therefore, this paper analyzes the current state of social media development and explores its impact on individuals of different age groups. It examines the practical effects of social media on individuals' feelings of loneliness and psychological well-being, delving into how to use social media correctly to promote individual growth and development.

The Correlation Between Social App Use and Individual Information Anxiety in the Information Age and the Solutions

Social applications are widely used in the information age. However, the frequent use of social media has brought about the problem of information overload. As a result, individual information anxiety has gradually become a focus of attention. This information overload can hurt individual mental health. The relationship between it and individual information anxiety needs to be further explored. This paper aims to explore the relationship between information overload and individual information anxiety in social applications and propose solutions. The study found the negative impact of information overload on individual mental health in social applications. The methods of alleviating individual information anxiety are put forward respectively from two aspects: individual and media. On the one hand, individuals can deal with the anxiety brought by social media by controlling the time they use social media, choosing reliable information sources and improving information literacy. On the other hand, social media should be censored, provide meaningful interaction, and meet user needs to jointly address the impact of social apps.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Scale of Effects of Social Media on Eating Behaviour and research of its influencing factors

BackgroundSocial media has become an indispensable part of contemporary young people's lives, and the influence of social media on college students' eating and other health-related behaviors has become increasingly prominent. However, there is no assessment tool to determine the effects of social media on Chinese college students' eating behavior. This study aims to translate the Scale of Effects of Social Media on Eating Behaviour (SESMEB) into Chinese. Its applicability to Chinese college students was examined through reliability and validity indexes, and the influencing factors of SESMEB were explored.MethodsThe questionnaire survey included 2374 Chinese college students. The Brislin translation model was used to translate the original scale into Chinese. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test the construct validity of the scale, and the content validity of the scale was assessed through the content validity index. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient, McDonald's Omega coefficient, split-half reliability, and test–retest reliability. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify potential influences on the effects of social media on eating behavior.ResultsEFA supported the one-factor structure, and the factor loadings of each item on this dimension were higher than 0.40. CFA showed good model fitness indexes. The content validity index of the scale was 0.94. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and McDonald's Omega coefficient for the scale were 0.964, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.953, and the test–retest reliability was 0.849. Gender, education, major, frequency of social media use, online sexual objectification experiences, fear of negative evaluations, and physical appearance perfectionism explained 73.8% of the variance in the effects of social media on eating behavior.ConclusionsThe Chinese version of the SESMEB has good psychometric properties and is a valid measurement tool for assessing the effects of social media on college students' eating behavior. Subjects who were female, highly educated, non-medical, had frequent social media use, online sexual objectification experiences, fear of negative evaluations, and physical appearance perfectionism used social media to have a higher impact on eating behavior.

The Role of Social Media in Knowledge, Perceptions, and Self-Reported Adherence Toward COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Cross-Sectional Study.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has served as a channel of communication, a venue for entertainment, and a mechanism for information dissemination. This study aims to assess the associations between social media use patterns; demographics; and knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported adherence toward COVID-19 prevention guidelines, due to growing and evolving social media use. Quota-sampled data were collected through a web-based survey of US adults through the Qualtrics platform, from March 15, 2022, to March 23, 2022, to assess covariates (eg, demographics, vaccination, and political affiliation), frequency of social media use, social media sources of COVID-19 information, as well as knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported adherence toward COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Three linear regression models were used for data analysis. A total of 1043 participants responded to the survey, with an average age of 45.3 years, among which 49.61% (n=515) of participants were men, 66.79% (n=696) were White, 11.61% (n=121) were Black or African American, 13.15% (n=137) were Hispanic or Latino, 37.71% (n=382) were Democrat, 30.21% (n=306) were Republican, and 25% (n=260) were not vaccinated. After controlling for covariates, users of TikTok (β=-.29, 95% CI -0.58 to -0.004; P=.047) were associated with lower knowledge of COVID-19 guidelines, users of Instagram (β=-.40, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.12; P=.005) and Twitter (β=-.33, 95% CI -0.58 to -0.08; P=.01) were associated with perceiving guidelines as strict, and users of Facebook (β=-.23, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.043; P=.02) and TikTok (β=-.25, 95% CI -0.5 to -0.009; P=.04) were associated with lower adherence to the guidelines (R2 0.06-0.23). These results allude to the complex interactions between online and physical environments. Future interventions should be tailored to subpopulations based on their demographics and social media site use. Efforts to mitigate misinformation and implement digital public health policy must account for the impact of the digital landscape on knowledge, perceptions, and level of adherence toward prevention guidelines for effective pandemic control.

The influence of social networks on children’s literacy: challenges and opportunities

This article addressed the influence of social media on childhood literacy, exploring challenges and opportunities. The study was based on a bibliographic research, utilizing theoretical references from Castro (2021), Bezerra and Pimentel (2016), Veiga (2002), and Barros (2015). The central objective was to comprehend how frequent use of social media affects the development of literacy in children and adolescents, seeking to identify patterns, challenges, and coping strategies. The analysis of theoretical data revealed significant correlations between exposure to educational content on social media and positive development of linguistic skills. However, challenges such as cyberbullying and inappropriate exposure were also identified, necessitating educational and supervisory strategies. The discussed theories pointed to parental and educational mediation as crucial factors in promoting a secure digital environment, aligning with Bezerra and Pimentel's (2016) proposal. The promotion of educational content on social media, as analyzed in light of Veiga's (2002) theories, emerges as a valuable opportunity for the development of reading and writing skills. Exploring the development of critical thinking, as proposed by Barros (2015), the research indicated that participation in educational programs focused on this skill is positively associated with children's ability to discern information and confront different perspectives. In summary, this study provided an understanding of the complexities between social media and childhood literacy, highlighting the importance of parental mediation, promotion of educational content, and development of critical thinking as fundamental components for a balanced approach in the digital era.

Belief that Progress has Been Made in Curing Cancer Varies by Perception of Social Media Health Mis- and Disinformation, Education, Frequency of Social Media Use, and Healthcare System Trust: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study explored the relationship between perceptions of health mis/disinformation on social media and belief that progress has been made in curing cancer. We analyzed cross-sectional, retrospective data collected from 4246 adult social media users in the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6). The outcome variable was the belief in whether progress has been made in curing cancer. The primary predictor variable was the perception of health mis/disinformation on social media, categorized as 'Substantial' and '< Substantial'. We also examined whether the relationship varied by health care system trust, frequency of social media use, and education. The analysis controlled for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors. Perception of substantial social media health mis- and disinformation was associated with a lower likelihood of believing progress has been made in curing cancer (odds ratios = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.59-0.94). Persons who perceived substantial social media health mis-and disinformation and had low trust in the health care system were less likely to believe progress has been made in curing cancer: 36% (95% CI: 28-45%). Persons who perceived substantial social media health mis-and disinformation and used social media less than daily were less likely to believe progress has been made in curing cancer: 44% (95% CI: 36-52%). Persons without a college degree who perceived substantial social media health mis-and disinformation were less likely to agree that progress has been made in curing cancer: 44% (95% CI: 39-50%). Exposure to misinformation on social media may be associated with negative attitudes about advances in curing cancer, particularly among social media users with low trust in the health care system trust, less frequent social media users, or those without a college degree.

Investigation of social appearance anxiety and self-esteem in individuals planned for aesthetic rhinoplasty.

Recently, aesthetic rhinoplasty surgeries performed to change the external appearance have become increasingly common, especially among young people. This study examined the frequency of social appearance anxiety, self-esteem, and social media use in people with rhinoplasty surgeries for aesthetic concerns. A total of 76 people, including 27 healthy controls and 49 aesthetic rhinoplasty planned cases, were included in the study. All participants were administered the sociodemographic data form, Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BMSAS). The RSE score of the case group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.001), and the SAAS (p=0.004) and BSMAS (p=0.005) scores were significantly higher. A significant negative correlation was observed between the RSE scale score, SAAS, and BMSAS. There was a significant positive relationship between SAAS and BSMAS. Cut-off values were determined using the ROC analysis. When the value of 1.41 was taken as the cut-off for RSE, 81.6% sensitivity and 74.1% specificity were found and were good predictors. When the value of 21 was taken as the cut-off for SAAS, 83.7% sensitivity and 51.9% specificity were found, and it was found to be a good predictor. When the value of 19 was taken as the cut-off for BSMAS, 42.9% sensitivity, and 88.9% specificity were found, and it was found to be a good predictor. People who undergo aesthetic rhinoplasty have high social appearance anxiety and self-esteem and frequent use of social media. More extensive sample studies are needed to examine the effects of this situation on rhinoplasty.

Role of Social Networks in Shaping Health Behavior of Chinese Adolescents

Aim: The access to social media websites has developed people's social media awareness. Often the misuse of social media adversely affects human behaviour and human health. The prime objective of this study was to provide practical guidelines to the Chinese government for improving the appropriate use of social media with recommended findings to improve the health behaviour of adolescents. Methods: This research used a sample of 382 individuals collected with a survey-based questionnaire using a simple random sampling approach. The data collected for this research was analysed using the R Package programming software RStudio. Resutls: The findings of this research highlighted the factors that significantly impact adolescents' health behaviour, such as frequency of social media use, peer influence, parental involvement, access to health information, and cultural influence. Conclusion: This study contributes to the body of knowledge with the critical findings based on the empirical evidence. These findings also address the inconsistencyfound in the previous literature. The Chinese government is required to work on this study's findings to improve the role of social media in adolescents' health behaviour.

The Impact of Social Media Use on Mental Health and Family Functioning Within Web-Based Communities in Saudi Arabia: Ethnographic Correlational Study.

In recent years, increasing numbers of parents, activists, and decision-makers have raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of social media use on both mental health and family functioning. Although some studies have indicated associations between social media use and negative mental health outcomes, others have found no evidence of mental health harm. This correlation study investigated the interplay between social media use, mental health, and family functioning. Analyzing data from 314 users, this study explores diverse mental health outcomes. The study places particular emphasis on the Saudi Arabian sample, providing valuable insights into the cultural context and shedding light on the specific dynamics of social media's impact on mental well-being and family dynamics in this demographic context. We collected data through a subsection of an anonymous web-based survey titled "The Effect of COVID-19 on Social Media Usage, Mental Health, and Family Functioning." The survey was distributed through diverse web-based platforms in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the Saudi sample. The participants indicated their social media accounts and estimated their daily use. Mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire and family functioning was evaluated using the Family Assessment Device Questionnaire. In addition, 6 mental health conditions (anxiety, self-esteem, depression, body dysmorphia, social media addiction, and eating disorders) were self-reported by participants. The study demonstrates a pattern of frequent social media use, with a significant portion dedicating 3-5 hours daily for web-based activities, and most of the sample accessed platforms multiple times a day. Despite concerns about social media addiction and perceived unhealthiness, participants cited staying connected with friends and family as their primary motivation for social media use. WhatsApp was perceived as the most positively impactful, whereas TikTok was considered the most negative for our Saudi sample. YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat users reported poorer mental health compared with nonusers of these platforms. Mental health effects encompassed anxiety and addiction, with age and gender emerging as significant factors. Associations between social media use and family functioning were evident, with higher social media quartiles correlating with a greater likelihood of mental health and unhealthy family functioning. Logistic regression identified age and gender as factors linked to affected mental health, particularly noting that female participants aged 25-34 years were found to be more susceptible to affected mental health. In addition, multivariable analysis identified age and social media use quartiles as factors associated with poor family functioning. This study examined how social media affects mental health and family functioning in Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the need for culturally tailored interventions to address these challenges, considering diverse demographic needs. Recognizing these nuances can guide the development of interventions to promote digital well-being, acknowledging the importance of familial connections in Saudi society.

Perilaku Sedentary pada Remaja Akhir Berdasarkan Banyaknya Akun Media Sosial yang Dimiliki

Non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer are the number 1 killers in the world. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the incidence of non-communicable diseases in Indonesia increase every year. One of the main factors causing non-communicable diseases is sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle are activities that all types of activities need very little caloric (&lt; 1.5 METs). Currently, the use of social media among adolescents is massive. This study aims to identify sedentary behavior in late adolescents based on the amount of social media they have. This research was a correlational analytical research with a cross sectional approach. The sample were 193 students of the Faculty of Health in Kediri. The data were collected using snowball sampling. The instrument used in this study was a modified Sedentary Behaviour Questionary (SBQ). The data obtained were analyzed using the Spearman Rank Test. The results of this study showed that 49.7% performed high sedentary behavior. 42% of late adolescences have 4/more social media accounts, 90.7% of late adolescences use social media daily. The results of the Spearman rank test obtained p-value: 0.031 so there was a relationship between the amount of social media and sedentary behavior, and also p-value: 0.036, Correlation Coefficient: 0.615 so that there was a strong relationship between frequent use of social media with sedentary behavior. From the results of the study, it is recommended to reduce the intensity of social media, so that sedentary behavior can also be minimized, and prevent non-communicable diseases.

Understanding and comparing risk factors and subtypes in South Korean adult and adolescent women's suicidal ideation or suicide attempt using survey and social media data.

This study aimed to investigate the similarities and differences in risk factors for suicide among adult and adolescent women in South Korea and identify subtypes of suicidal ideation or suicide attempt in each group. Multifaceted data were collected and analyzed by linking survey and social media data. Interpretable machine learning models were constructed to predict suicide risk and major risk factors were extracted by investigating their feature importance. Additionally, subtypes of suicidal adult and adolescent women were identified and explained using risk factors. The risk factors for adult women were primarily related to mental disorders, while those for adolescent women were primarily related to interpersonal experiences and needs. Two subtypes of suicidal adult women were one with high psychiatric symptoms and mental disorders of them and/or their families and the other with excessive social media use and high online victimization. Two subtypes of suicidal adolescent women were one with high psychiatric symptoms, high ACEs, and high social connectedness, and the other with frequent social media use, high online sexual victimization, and high social assurance. These findings enable a stratified and targeted understanding of suicide in women and help develop customized suicide prevention plans in South Korea.

The Associations Between Social Media Use with Eating Behavior, Physical Activity, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in DKI Jakarta

Background: Increased adolescent social media use can lead to lower physical activity. In addition, the growth of marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks is inevitable. In short, excessive social media use may negatively impact nutrition problems, eating behavior, and physical activities. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between patterns of social media use and nutrition status, eating behavior, and physical activity among adolescents in DKI Jakarta. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and involved 187 students from public high schools in Jakarta. Data was collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the use of social media questionnaire, and an anthropometric assessment to measure body mass index for age. The statistical analysis used was the chi-square test. Results: No significant association were found between the frequency and duration of social media use and nutrition status. The type of exposure to social media content does not show a significant relationship with nutrition status, eating behavior, and physical activity. However, there were significant associations between frequency (p=0.022) and duration (p=0.003) of social media use and eating behavior. Likewise, there was a significant relationship between frequency (p=0.021) and duration (p=0.005) of social media use with physical activity. Conclusions: Duration and frequency of social media use are associated with riskier eating patterns and lower adolescent physical activity. Therefore, nutrition education in adolescents should also include topics on social media use.

Browsing throughout pregnancy: The longitudinal course of social media use during pregnancy

BackgroundThe number of people using social media has substantially increased over the past years. Previous studies have shown associations between social media overuse and mental health problems during pregnancy. The current study evaluates changes in social media use during pregnancy. MethodsPregnant women were recruited at their first antenatal appointment between January 2020 and July 2022 (N = 1135). The time spent on social media, frequency of social media use and problematic social media use, using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), were assessed at 12, 20 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Pearson r correlations and repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to assess possible changes in social media use over the course of pregnancy. Lastly, we stratified social media use throughout pregnancy for parity. ResultsThere was a significant change in social media use over time, for the time spent on social media, frequency of social media use and problematic social media use. Mean social media scores were the lowest at 12 weeks of pregnancy and increased significantly at 20 weeks of pregnancy, after which they remained stable at 28 weeks. Compared to multiparous women, primiparous women spent more time on social media at 20 weeks of pregnancy, but not at 12 or 28 weeks. ConclusionBecause overuse of social media has been associated with poor mental health, healthcare professionals should be aware of the intensity of social media use throughout pregnancy.

Cross-platform social media analysis regarding ACL injury and surgery

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury affects a broad patient population, but there is limited knowledge on how ACL injury is discussed across social media platforms. This study aims to develop an extensive snapshot of the social media milieu for understanding who uses social media platforms, what topics users discuss, and how these platforms vary regarding ACL injury and surgery.Methods:We utilized a qualitative, descriptive design with quantitative statistical analysis including Kruskal-Wallis tests and Fisher’s Exact tests with post hoc analyses to examine new posts across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok using ACL-specific search terms from August 2021 to January 2022. Posts were analyzed by authorship, content characterization, and engagement.Results:Across social media sites, 760 posts were examined involving ACL surgery and injury. There was statistically significant difference among the platforms when comparing categories of authorship (P&lt;0.001). There were statistically significant differences where physicians (P&lt;0.001) and patients (P&lt;0.001) posted, with physicians representing 20.6% and 19.5% of posts on Facebook and Twitter, respectively. TikTok displayed the highest patient authorship (83.5%) and greatest content engagement. There were also significant differences among platforms regarding content characterization (P&lt;0.001).Conclusions:This study breaks down a snapshot of social media revolving around ACL injury and surgery demonstrating differences in authorship, content, and engagement of posts across platforms. These findings demonstrate the frequent use of social media by patients to address unmet clinical needs and can help surgeons and patients connect on the same platforms.Level of Evidence:Level IV.

Assessing the potential conditioning effects of mis and disinformation self-efficacy on the relationship between general social media use and political knowledge.

Prior work on the relationship between general social media use and political knowledge has yielded mixed findings. One recent meta-analysis on the topic concluded that the literature, when assessed as a whole, fails to indicate a direct and statistically identifiable between relationship general social media use and political knowledge. Considering these findings, the present work sought to assess the extent to which general social media use might be conditionally related to political knowledge. To do so, we explored the moderating effect of information-related self-efficacy beliefs. Specifically, building upon general self-efficacy theory and the idea that there exists considerable concern over the extent to which information on social media is factually incorrect, misleading, or biased, we predicted that mis and disinformation self-efficacy (MDSE) beliefs would positively condition the relationship between general social media usage and political knowledge. Contrary to our expectations, the results of three studies indicated that the combination of MDSE and frequent social media use was negatively related to political knowledge.

Investigating on the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Adolescent Loneliness

In contemporary times, the utilization of social media by adolescents has raised significant concerns and apprehensions among both societal and familial circles. Extensive research has consistently shown that the usage of social media by teenagers is closely linked to the emergence of loneliness, thereby establishing a conclusive association between the two phenomena. However, these findings need to provide directional evidence to prove a decisive causal relationship between the two directly. This study examines the association between teenagers use of social media and loneliness in terms of frequency of social media use, age, gender, usage patterns, motivation, and platform of use, as well as a summary of the roles of various contributing factors. This research claims that social media use and loneliness are bidirectional and dynamic. Among the population of adolescents, the motivation and manner in which they use social media can influence whether they benefit from social media use or whether it continues to deepen their feelings of isolation.

Two roads diverge in cyberspace: dual but opposing social media pathways affecting teens’ well-being

Purpose Many believe that any social media harms kids because of frequent use. This study aims to examine these assumptions. It proposes and tests a model that considers two alternative pathways – one negative and one positive – through which social media affects teens’ self-reported subjective well-being. Design/methodology/approach This research used Preacher and Hayes process modeling to conduct path analysis on data collected on 585 teenagers from across the USA. Findings Results showed that along a negative pathway, frequent social media use leads to greater risky social media engagement that ultimately diminishes adolescent’s sense of well-being. Also, and perhaps simultaneously, frequent social media use leads to socially-connected social media use that enhances adolescent’s sense of well-being. Practical implications The research recommends ways parents, policymakers and platforms can encourage teens to use social media to connect with friends while guiding them away from pathways exposing them to risky behaviors. Originality/value Findings show more social media use is not necessarily harmful, but more of some types is bad, while more of others is good.

Social media and e-cigarette use: The mediating role of mental health conditions

BackgroundIn recent years, youth social media use, youth e-cigarette use, and youth mental health conditions have become major public health concerns. We examined the role of mental health condition indicators in the link between youth social media use and e-cigarette use. MethodsWe used data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (N = 23,445) to measure social media use by time spent, anxiety and depression symptoms by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and past-30-day e-cigarette use. We applied the potential outcomes framework to examine the relationship between social media use and e-cigarette use mediated by mental health condition indicators. ResultsMental health condition indicators mediated the relationship between social media use and e-cigarette use in a dose-response manner, with higher levels of social media use associated with higher odds of e-cigarette use. With mental health condition indicators as a mediator, those who used social media for 4+ hours/day or 3–4 h/day had significantly higher odds of e-cigarette use than those who used social media sometimes or never. In the sex-stratified analysis, we found that very often social media use was associated with higher odds of e-cigarette use for both males and females, compared to sometimes users (OR = 1.53, 95 % CI [1.18,1.96] for males; OR = 2.27, 95 % CI [1.76,2.92] for females). LimitationsAnxiety and depression symptoms were self-reported. ConclusionsThis study shows that anxiety and depression symptoms mediate the relationship between social media and e-cigarette use among youth and support the growing concern that frequent social media use may negatively affect youth health.

Uncovering the Factors That Influence the Public to Spread Infodemic in Indonesia

This study aims to explain factors that influence people to continue disseminating the infodemic even when they have a high level of education. This research uses a qualitative approach with data mined using interview techniques and literature studies. The qualitative research gathered data through in-depth online interviews and literature studies. Key informants, including experts in Communication Science, Religion, Social Media, and Health, were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, allowing for flexible yet focused discussions. The study's findings identify 12 factors contributing to the continued spread of the infodemic, including social media ownership, a critical attitude towards information, information-seeking skills, emotional maturity in processing information, the demands of daily life, the frequency of social media use, social media friend networks, efforts to enhance digital literacy, a tendency to avoid seeking information clarification, a narrow interpretation of religious teachings, belief in conspiracy theories, and specific underlying motives. This research contributes significantly by shedding light on this pressing issue, offering insights crucial for formulating evidence-based policies and interventions to enhance digital literacy and effectively counter the infodemic. Future researchers should concentrate on investigating motive aspects. Moreover, rigorous statistical tests in quantitative research can also be considered to enhance the depth of analysis, providing a quantitative measure of the influence exerted by each identified factor.

Social media use among the population after the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: With the development of new technologies and easier access to the Internet, the number of mobile devices is growing. According to statistics, in 2023, 5.18 billion people worldwide used the Internet, which was 64.6% of the world's population. The use of the Internet, including social media, has many health effects, such as Internet addiction. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem. Home quarantine and increasing social distance have clearly increased the level of emotional stress among humanity. Aim of the work: The aim of the work is to analyze the use of social media after the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland and the health consequences of this fact. Materials and methods: A proprietary online questionnaire was prepared, containing19 questions. The survey was conducted in the Swietokrzyskie and Mazowieckie provinces from April 2023 to June 2023. 330 results were collected. The anonymity of participants taking part in the survey was preserved. Research results: The respondents included 219 women, accounting for 66.36%, and111 men, 33.64% of the group. More than half of the respondents, 52.73%, believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the amount of time spent on social media. The largest number of citizens, 153 (46.36%), spent between 2 and 4 hours a day on social media, while the smallest number, only 21 (6.36%), spent more than 6 hours a day. Only 13.64% of respondents log out of social media. 71.82% of respondents deny the statement that using social media in stressful moments can bring solace. Conclusions: This study proves the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of social media use, causing its prolongation. Research also shows the growing problem of Internet addiction and its many health consequences. The problem mainly affects young people. It is important to conduct educational campaigns on the effects of Internet and social media addiction.