Social Media Addiction Research Articles

The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Smartphone Addiction in Adolescents and Parental Neglect During the Pandemic

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between social media and smartphone addiction in adolescents and their parents’ neglectful behaviors in the pandemic. The main problem of the research is to examine whether the increasing socialization and intimacy needs of adolescents during the pandemic period are an important factor in the emergence of social media and smartphone addiction due to their parents' inability to adequately meet these needs and neglecting their children, especially in terms of supervision. The study group consisted of 280 adolescents aged between 11-14 attending secondary schools in the city center of Ankara, Türkiye and their parents. In terms of the data gathering instruments, an Individual Information Form was administered to both the children and parents for the purpose of gathering socio-demographic data. In addition, adolescents were administered Smartphone Addiction Scale for the purpose of assessing their smartphone addiction levels along with Social Media Addiction Scale for the purpose of assessing their social media addiction levels. On the other hand, the Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviors Scale was administered to the parents in order to assess the level of their neglectful behaviors. As a result, 86.5% (n=218) of adolescents stated that their smartphone use and 78.5% (n=204) stated that their social media use increased during the pandemic period. When the smart phone and social media addiction status of adolescents were compared according to the level of neglect by their parents, it was determined that the neglect scores of adolescents with addiction level-smart phone and -social media use were significantly higher. In addition, it was found that parental neglect levels were positively associated with both smart phone addiction and social media addiction in adolescents, and there was a positive relationship between smart phone addiction and social media addiction in adolescents. The findings were discussed in line with the related literature.

Social media use by teachers during work and its effects on their performance: the role of teacher’s wellbeing and social media addiction

BackgroundAlthough extant literature has investigated the impacts of social sites on employees’ job performance in different sectors, scholars have given little attention to teachers’ job performance (TJoP) in higher educational institutes.PurposeWe aimed to investigate the direct and mediating impact of social media use (SMU) on TJoP. Based on social cognitive theory, this study proposed a model that consists of six hypotheses.Methodology: To empirically test the model, we develop a survey link to collect data from respondents working in universities in Jiangsu province, China. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) using SmartPLS 4 has been used for analyzing 454 respondents.ResultsResearch findings demonstrate the significant effects of SMU on TJoP, well-being, and social media addiction (SMAdd). In addition, teachers’ well-being and SMAdd have a positive and negative significant effect, respectively, on TJoP. Moreover, this research evidenced a significant partial mediation of teachers’ well-being and SMAdd.ConclusionThis study points out the key role of SMU in the direct and indirect influences of TJoP through well-being and SMAdd. Further, it brings into view the urgency of higher education to prudently consider the implications of SMU on performance and general well-being among its faculty.

Longitudinal trait and state-like differences inthe components model of addiction: Anillustration through social media addictionand work addiction.

Conflicting findings have been reported for the longitudinal course of behavioral addictions, especially for social media addiction (SMA) and work addiction (WA). Therefore, evaluating whether these constructs are more trait-like or state-like might be informative. The aim of the present study was to examine the proportion of variance of SMA and WA symptoms (as defined by the components model of addiction) explained by trait and occasion-specific factors in addition to exploring cross-lagged relationships between SMA and WA. Young adults from a representative sample who continuously used social media and worked at least 40 hours a week during the first three waves of the Budapest Longitudinal Study were included (N = 1,551; Females: 50.6%; Age:M=27.7 years [SD = 4.40]). The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale and the Bergen Work Addiction Scale were administered in all three waves. A latent state-trait model with a general trait factor was considered for both SMA and WA. Symptomatic variability in SMA was explained approximately equally by trait and state-like factors, while WA-related symptom variability was mostly attributed to state-like factors. SMA negatively predicted WA over time, while WA showed a positive cross-lagged effect on SMA. While the symptoms of WA were more state-like, the trait-like effects were stronger in SMA. Situational influences and previous symptom severities might have to be considered in the screening process.

Impact of the Usage of Cell Phones and Social Media Among the Rural College Girl Students

The main problems of the study deal with prevalent in Government Colleges, every year 25% of college girls drop out of their higher education, and 10% of the girls are coerced into marriage by parents and continuing education. The study was conducted at the Government Arts and Science College for Women, Alangulam of Tenkasi District. It was purely an empirical study. This College offers 5 Degree Courses in Arts and Science, comprising 896 girls. One-eighth of the samples were taken for the present study. The main objectives of the study include studying how many hours cell phones are spent per day by female students on social media. ii, to examine whether it has been used for either academic purpose or personal purpose. iii.To provide effective supportive mechanisms to solve socialmedia addiction. The present study covers 100 college girlsstudents in art science. 80% of students have said that daily onehour using 2GP (Rs.250/- per month) for online courses incollege and more than one and a half hours using houses forpersonal uses. 60% of the of girl's students have reported thatapart from studying, they cell phones for chatting with friends,WhatsApp status, and reels. 25% of the girls students haveescaped from college education and eloped with lovers throughcell phone chatting.15% of the cell phones were snatched byparents and stopped their education.

Hikikomori in the Middle East: The role of problematic gaming, social media use, and loneliness

Hikikomori, a form of severe social withdrawal has been found to be associated with behavioral addictions such as gaming addiction and problematic social media use (PSMU). Since literature related to hikikomori is lacking in the Middle East, this study aimed to determine whether there are significant differences in hikikomori-like traits between two different types of social media users and gamers and investigate loneliness as a potential mediator between hikikomori and the two types of problematic behaviors. A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed, collecting a final sample of 220 participants residing in Middle Eastern countries using a mixture of convenience and snowball sampling. Results showed that passive social media users demonstrated significantly greater hikikomori-like traits compared to active users. Furthermore, hikikomori-like traits exhibited significant positive associations with problematic gaming, PSMU, and loneliness. Two separate mediation analyses, the first with PSMU and a second with problematic gaming as predictors, revealed that loneliness acted as a significant mediator between both these problematic behaviors and hikikomori-like traits.

How Mattering and Anti‐Mattering Experiences Across Offline and Online Environments Contribute to People's Digital Life Balance and Social Media Addiction

ABSTRACTIn today's world, internet use has been evaluated as a factor that tremendously affects people's lives. More recently, evidence has been presented on the role that social‐level factors play in determining the dysfunctional use of new technologies, such as the need for social recognition. This study examines the concept of ‘mattering’ and its counterpart ‘anti‐mattering’ to understand how offline and online social experiences, along with need satisfaction, influence digital life balance and social media addiction. Three hundred participants (78.3% women; Mage = 24.92 years, SD = 7.49) participated in the data collection. This cross‐sectional explorative study revealed that people Satisfied Online (i.e., subjects who satisfy their need to be important only online) are more likely to develop social media addiction and an imbalance between offline and online life than those who are Fully Satisfied, Fully Unsatisfied, and Satisfied Offline based on correlation and ANOVA analyses. In conclusion, the results of this study support the idea that the human need for social connection and social recognition are critical in shaping our relationship with emerging communication technologies, both toward functional and dysfunctional use.

Understanding the Role of Resilience in the Link between Facebook Addiction and Mental Health among Female College Students

Understanding the Role of Resilience in the Link between Facebook Addiction and Mental Health among Female College Students

Problematic Social Media Use, Retaliation, and Moral Disengagement in Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Among Italian Preadolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

AbstractDespite existing research on the factors associated with problematic social media use (PSMU), cyberbullying (CB), and cybervictimization (CV) among youth, few studies have explored the relationships between these variables. Rooted in the Maladaptive Coping Theory, this study investigates the complex dynamics of digital behaviors among Italian preadolescents, exploring the interplay between PSMU, moral disengagement, retaliation, and their connections with cyberbullying and cybervictimization. A total of 489 participants (Mage = 11.90, SD = 0.783; 50.3% female) from schools in southern Italy completed an online self-report questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were conducted and correlations between variables were computed. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using PROCESS in SPSS 27.0. The results of the study indicated that PSMU positively predicted both CB and CV. Moral disengagement (MD) was identified as a mediator in this association, elucidating the role of justifications and cognitive restructuring in facilitating negative online behaviors. Most notably, retaliation emerged as a moderator that amplified the effects of PSMU on cyberbullying and cybervictimization. These findings underscore the pivotal role of PSMU in shaping digital landscapes for preadolescents and highlight the need for tailored interventions. In addition, they highlight MD as a maladaptive coping strategy in the online realm, revealing its instrumental role in perpetuating negative online behaviors. This study’s insights suggest the need for interventions to address the complexity of young people’s online interactions and promote a safer digital environment.

Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Narrative Review.

Social media use is ubiquitous to the lives of children and adolescents. The body of research investigating its potential impact on mental health has risen exponentially. We systematically reviewed the present literature exploring potential linkages between social media use and symptoms of depression and anxiety in this vulnerable group. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses framework, articles were searched across Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases from inception to February 2024. Quantitative studies with social media as exposure and anxiety/depressive symptoms as outcomes in children and adolescents 5-18 years of age were included. Of the 4850 studies retrieved, 67 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most frequent measures of social media were "time spent on social media" and "frequency of use." Depressive symptoms were the outcome of 61 studies, whereas anxiety was measured in 27 studies. Most studies were of fair quality (n = 53). A meta-analysis was not possible due to study heterogeneity. Our review shows that (1) problematic social media use is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents, (2) duration of social media use was more consistently linked with anxiety and depression in girls compared with boys, and (3) mediating and moderating mechanisms were sleep deprivation, social comparison, and feedback-seeking behaviors, exercise, social support, and type of social media use. Qualitative work and robust large-scale longitudinal observations using a person-specific approach are needed to further our understanding of the impact of social media use on depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.

The role of bullying perpetration and victimization in adolescents' perceptions of school climate and social media usage

AbstractPrevious research has reported a relationship between adolescents' perceptions of school climate and social media use. However, the underlying mechanisms associated with the relationship have yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to examine the role of peer bullying in the relationship under consideration. This cross‐sectional study applied a correlational research model to examine the perceptions of 718 adolescents aged 11–14. Data gathering entailed the School Climate Survey, Peer Bullying Self‐Report Form, and the Social Media Disorder Scale. Significant relationships between school climate, social media addiction, and peer bullying emerged from the gathered data. The study also found that peer bullying partially mediated the relationship between school climate and social media usage, both in terms of perpetrating bullying behavior and experiencing victimization. Specifically, 22.43% of the total effect of school climate on social media addiction was mediated through exposure to bullying perpetration, while 25.10% was mediated through experiencing victimization. A notable finding of this study is the role played by a perceived negative school climate in terms of increasing social media addiction; additionally, this increase may be partially mediated by exposure to peer bullying. A discussion of the results in light of the relevant literature is included, along with suggestions for future study.

Exploring Gender Differences in Internet Addiction and Psychological Factors: A Study in a Spanish Sample

Background/Objectives: Internet addiction (IA) and related behaviors, such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and social media addiction (SMA), have gained increasing research attention. Studies show gender differences, with males more likely to develop gaming-related addictions and females more prone to social media and phubbing behaviors. This study aimed to explore gender differences in Internet addiction and related behaviors in a Spanish sample, with the goal of identifying predictors and gender-specific patterns of IA. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 585 participants (265 male, 320 female) aged 18 to 35 years (M = 22.11, SD = 3.08). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires to assess IA, IGD, SMA, phubbing, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), emotional dysregulation, personality traits, and prosociality. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify gender-specific predictors of IA. Results: Males exhibited significantly higher scores for IA and IGD, while females showed higher scores for SMA and the “phone obsession” dimension of phubbing. No significant gender differences were found in the “communication disturbance” dimension of phubbing or in FoMO. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between IA and psychological as well as technological variables. Gender-specific predictors of IA included social media engagement and emotional regulation for females, while gaming behaviors and communication patterns were more relevant for males. Conclusions: These findings highlight gender differences in IA, suggesting that tailored interventions should address unique online behaviors and emotional regulation challenges in males and females. Future research should refine gender-specific patterns to develop more effective, targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

The gaming disorder test and gaming disorder scale for adolescents: translation and validation among Vietnamese young adults

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that the Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents (GADIS-A) have promising validity and reliability when assessing symptoms of gaming disorder among young adults. However, validity and reliability properties of the two scales have not been established among a Vietnamese population.ObjectiveThe present study translated the GDT and GADIS-A into Vietnamese and examined their factor structures, measurement invariance, convergent validity, concurrent validity, and divergent validity among university students.MethodsA total of 610 young adults (mean age = 21.09 years; 63.4% females) were recruited using convenience sampling and who completed a paper-and-pencil survey between April and June 2023. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire, GDT, GADIS-A, and six standardized scales related to gaming disorder, social media addiction, smartphone addiction, and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency testing, and Pearson’s correlations were performed.ResultsCFA showed that the GDT had a one-factor structure and the GADIS-A had a two-factor structure. The internal consistency was excellent for both scales among this population. Moreover, both GDT and GADIS-A showed convergent, concurrent, and divergent validity with other standardized scales.ConclusionThe Vietnamese versions of the GDT and GADIS-A have good psychometrics, which may be utilized in future research regarding gaming disorder among Vietnamese populations.

Social Media Addiction and Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To measure a multivariate analysis of social media addiction and cognitive-behavioral physical activity associated with several sociodemographic characteristics in adolescent girls. A cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of adolescent girls studying in a vocational high-school in the Middle-Black-Sea region in Türkiye (n = 333). A questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale-for-Adolescents (SMAS-A), and Cognitive-Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire (CBPAQ) were used to collect the data. The mean age was 15.35(SD=1.15), and 29.4% were the ninth-class students. Of the adolescent girls, 85.9% were social-media users, 59.8% used the internet 2-hours-or-more/daily, 67.9% declared themselves as moderately-active. The mean scores of the SMAS-A and the CBPAQ were 3.40 (SD=1.61) and 21.03(SD=7.64), respectively. There was a significantly-negative correlation between cognitive-behavioral physical activity and social-media addiction levels. The One-Way MANOVA results showed significant differences in the academic level, family income, mother education, and physical activity measurement application usage affected to cognitive-behavioral physical activity. Social media usage habit affected to the social media addiction level. Daily internet usage time and self-declared physical activity level were the mutually affected factors. School nurses should act to improve healthy social media usage habits to promote well-being and encourage the positive attitudes towards regular physical activity in this population.

Narcissism and Problematic Social Media Use: A Moderated Mediation Analysis of Fear of Missing out and Trait Mindfulness in Youth

Social media use has increased worldwide, facilitating social relationships as well as the widespread exchange of information, images, and ideas. However, some individuals may develop a compulsive and unregulated engagement with social media platforms, known as problematic social media use (PSMU), which can result in adverse consequences for personal, social, and professional functioning. This scenario leads to considering which factors are implicated in PSMU and how they can affect the disposition toward PSMU. The present study aimed to explore the mediating role of fear of missing out (FoMO) in the association between both grandiose and vulnerable facets of narcissism and PSMU while also investigating the moderating effect of trait mindfulness. The research was conducted with 208 youth participants from 19 to 28 years old through an online cross-sectional design. Participants completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-13, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and a short socio-demographic questionnaire. Results revealed that FoMO mediated the association between both facets of narcissism and PSMU, while trait mindfulness moderated the interplay between FoMO and PSMU, dampening the effect of FoMO. These findings provide theoretical insights into the main mechanisms underlying PSMU as well as promising practical implications for the development of mindfulness-based interventions aimed at mitigating PSMU. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Personal values clusters and their associations to social media behaviors and psychological well-being.

The current study contributes to the literature by assessing the associations between personal values, explored with Schwartz`s Portrait Values Questionnaire, social media behaviors, assessed with Bergen Scale of Social Media Addiction and Social Media Motivations to Use Scale and psychological well-being assessed with Patient Health Questionnaire-4, in a sample of first-year medical students. It was examined medical students' personal values profiles and the perceived influence of social media on self-aspects. All participants (N = 151) were Romanian and English module students, young (average age = 19.2, SD = 1.5), 68,9% females and 31,1% males. Pearson coefficient correlation analyses were performed to verify the associations between the main four clusters of personal values (Self Transcendence, Self Enhancement, Openness to change and Conservationism) with social media behaviors and psychological wellbeing. The most frequent cluster of values was Self-Transcendence (M = 5.21) while the least was Self-Enhancement (M = 4.05). There was no significant correlation between social media addiction, psychological wellbeing and a specific cluster of values while the perception of self-aspects influenced by social media included involvement in community problems, creativity for Openness to change group (R = .24;.22, p < .05), tolerance towards sexual minorities and self-evaluation in Self Transcendence group (R = .24;.21;.42, p < .05) while Conservationism and Self Enhancement groups didn`t report any change. The findings highlight the need for awareness and education of medical students and general population in the field of Digital Ethics including social media complex impact on personal values as AI-algorithms may imply a potential destabilization and perpetual shaping of one`s behavior with still unpredictable individual and societal effects.

Development and Evaluation of an AI-Based Chatbot for Preventing Social Media Addiction: A Waterfall Model Approach

The rapid growth of social media has transformed interaction and communication patterns, but it has also led to the rise of social media addiction, particularly among teenagers and young adults. This addiction, marked by compulsive usage and negative impacts on mental health and daily life, necessitates effective interventions. This research explores the development and evaluation of an AI-based chatbot designed to mitigate social media addiction by employing cognitive and behavioural strategies. The study utilizes the Waterfall model—a structured, sequential approach—in the chatbot’s development, encompassing stages from needs analysis to maintenance. The chatbot’s effectiveness was assessed through rigorous testing and user feedback. The methodology included problem analysis, system design, implementation, testing, and iterative improvements. A comprehensive needs analysis identified the psychological and behavioural factors contributing to social media addiction, leading to the design of a prototype chatbot integrated with AI for dynamic content adaptation and real-time feedback. The implementation phase focused on coding and system integration, followed by rigorous testing using Black Box Testing and the System Usability Scale (SUS) to ensure functionality and user-friendliness. Results indicate that the chatbot significantly reduced social media addiction scores, with a mean decrease from 55.21 to 50.17, supported by a highly significant p-value of &lt;0.0001. User satisfaction was high, particularly regarding ease of use and information quality. However, user engagement declined over time, highlighting the need for ongoing content updates and feature enhancements. This study contributes to the field by providing insights into the application of the Waterfall model in AI chatbot development and offers a scalable solution for addressing social media addiction, with implications for future digital interventions in mental health.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC BURNOUT AND SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITAS NEGERI PADANG IN WRITING UNDERGRADUATE THESES

When college students experience burnout, depression, and other negative emotions, they tend to be very active in social media to mask and escape the pain from their personal issues while seeking a sense of achievement and self-worth. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between academic burnout and social media addiction among undergraduate students working on their final projects at Universitas Negeri Padang. The methodology used is a quantitative approach with a survey method. A total of 102 final-year students from 9 faculties at Universitas Negeri Padang participated in this study. Data collection utilized two measurement tools: Skala Pengukuran Burnout Mahasiswa Dalam Penyelesaian Skripsi and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), which were adapted and tested according to the research objectives. Hypothesis testing was conducted using SPSS 26.0. According to Spearman's rho analysis, a correlation coefficient of 0.381 was obtained, and the Sig. (2-tailed) value was 0.000 (ρ&lt;0.05), indicating a positive correlation between the two variables among participants.

Sociocultural, Behavioral, and Physical Correlates of Excessive Social Media Use, Addiction, and Motivation Toward Reduction in a Hispanic College Student Sample.

Social media use has been associated with adverse health consequences. However, there is limited research assessing correlates of social media use, addiction, failure to control use, and motivation to reduce use in a Hispanic sample. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing factors within the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. Participants were Hispanic college students (n = 273) residing either in the United States or Mexico who completed an online survey. Univariate analyses determined independent variables to be assessed in four linear regression models. Results indicated that weekly social media use was negatively associated with sex, attentional impulsivity, and social comparison and positively associated with social media craving (SMC). Social media addiction was positively associated with frequency of posting in Spanish, Fear of Missing Out, SMC, and home restriction of social media use. Social media self-control failure was negatively associated with acculturative language and positively associated with frequency of posting in English, attentional impulsiveness, SMC, and home restriction of social media use. Motivation to reduce social media use was positively associated with residing in the United States. Clinical implications include targeting key factors through tailored interventions aimed at promoting adaptive social media use patterns.

U.S. Adolescents’ daily social media use and well-being: Exploring the role of addiction-like social media use

ABSTRACT Associations between adolescent social media use and well-being are inconclusive, and studies using rigorous methodologies and objective measures are needed. Additionally, attention on what individual differences may moderate linkages between social media and well-being is necessary. We tested 1) how daily social media use (assessed via objective-reports and self-reports during an ecological momentary assessment period) relates to daily subjective well-being, 2) the prevalence and concordance between scholar-defined addiction-like social media use (ASMU) and participant perceptions of social media addiction, 3) how these constructs relate to subjective well-being, and 4) if these constructs moderate daily links between social media use and subjective well-being. In a sample of 103 adolescents (M age = 16.48, 47% female), ASMU and perceived addiction were highly correlated but some adolescents’ classification differed when cross-referencing. Both were similarly associated with demographics and depressive symptoms. Self-reported, but not objectively-recorded, social media use was related to greater ASMU and perceived addiction. Links between social media use and well-being were inconsistent, with no moderation by ASMU or perceived addiction. Most adolescents endorsed some degree of ASMU, and future research should examine how social media-triggered disruptions to daily functioning relates to well-being.

Social Media Addiction and Its Consequences Among Youth: A Developing Country Perspective

This study investigates how loneliness and self-regulation affect social media addiction in young people in developing nations, as well as how this addiction impacts their personal family life and jobs. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to gather data from 514 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze the theories of addiction. The multivariate statistical analysis indicates that social media addiction is positively influenced by loneliness and self-regulation. Moreover, loneliness is a contributing factor to the development of social media addiction, while self-regulation affects personal and family conflicts, as well as academic or professional performance. Additionally, the personal and family conflicts that arise from social media addiction have a significant impact on academic or professional performance. The study has twofold implications. It expands addiction theories by integrating aspects of self-regulation and loneliness, thereby contributing to its theoretical implications. Essentially, the results assist policymakers in formulating plans to reduce social media addiction and harness the potential of young people for the progress of the nation.