Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Social media addiction; College students; Mental health; Psychological distress; Anxiety and depression; Cross-sectional study; Digital behavior; Screen time; Emotional well-being; Addictive technology use

Introduction

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of young adults’ lives, particularly among college students. While platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat facilitate social connectivity, excessive use can lead to social media addiction (SMA)—a behavioral addiction characterized by compulsive use, neglect of offline responsibilities, and psychological dependence. Emerging research links SMA with various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and low self-esteem. College students, a demographic in a critical stage of emotional and social development, may be particularly vulnerable. This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of SMA among college students and its association with psychological distress, aiming to understand the mental health consequences of excessive social media use.

Discussion

The results revealed a strong correlation between high social media addiction scores and elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. Students who reported excessive daily screen time (>4 hours) showed significantly higher psychological distress compared to those with moderate usage. Gender differences were observed, with female students exhibiting more symptoms of anxiety and body image concerns linked to social media comparisons. The addictive use was often reinforced by fear of missing out (FOMO), validation-seeking behaviors, and algorithm-driven engagement patterns. Psychological mechanisms like negative reinforcement—using social media to escape negative emotions—were commonly reported. These findings suggest the need for digital wellness programs, counseling support, and curriculum-integrated awareness campaigns. Limitations of the study include its reliance on self-reported data and inability to establish causality due to its cross-sectional design.

Conclusion

Social media addiction is significantly associated with increased psychological distress among college students. As digital dependence grows, there is an urgent need for targeted mental health interventions, digital literacy education, and self-regulation strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of SMA. Universities and mental health professionals must proactively address this emerging behavioral addiction to protect students’ well-being.

References

1. Mohammad P, Nosratollah Z, Mohammad R, Abbas A Javad R, et al. (2010) The inhibitory effect of Curcuma longa extract on telomerase activity in A549 lung cancer cell line. Afr J Biotechnol 9: 912-919.

   Indexed at, Crossref, Google Scholar

2. Whitehead Jr RD, Zhang M, Sternberg MR, Schleicher RL, Drammeh B, et al. (2017) Effects of preanalytical factors on hemoglobin measurement: A comparison of two HemoCue point-of-care analyzers. Clin Biochem 50: 513-520.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

3. Ingram CF, Lewis SM (2000) Clinical use of WHO haemoglobin colour scale: validation and critique. J Clin Pathol 53: 933-937.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

4. Osborn ZT, Villalba N, Derickson PR, Sewatsky TP, Wagner AP, et al. (2019) Accuracy of Point-of-Care Testing for Anemia in the Emergency Department. Resp Care 64: 1343-1350.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar

5. Dybas J, Alcicek FC, Wajda A, Kaczmarska M, Zimna A, et al. (2022) Trends in biomedical analysis of red blood cells - Raman spectroscopy against other spectroscopic, microscopic and classical techniques. Trend Anal Chem 146: 116481-116508.

   Google Scholar, Crossref

6. Atkins CG, Buckley K, Blades MW, Turner RFB (2017) Raman spectroscopy of blood and blood components. Appl Spectrosc 71: 767–793.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

7. Wood BR, Langford SJ, Cooke BM, Lim J, Glenister FK, et al (2004) Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Reveals New Insight into the Electronic Structure of β-Hematin and Malaria Pigment. J Am Chem Soc 126: 9233-9239.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

8. CLSI (2012)Evaluation of detection capability for clinical laboratory measurement procedures; approved guideline – second edition. CLSI document EP17-A2 Wayne PA Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

   Google Scholar

9. NCCLS (2003) Evaluation of the linearity of quantitative measurements procedures: a statistical approach; approved guideline. NCCLS document EP6-A Wayne PA NCCLS.

   Google Scholar, Crossref

10. NCCLS (2000) Reference and selected procedures of the quantitative determination of hemoglobin in blood; approved standard – third edition. NCCLS document H15-A3 Wayne PA NCCLS.

    Google Scholar, Crossref