A study to assess the impact of social media on mental health, psychosocial behaviour, and academics of medical undergraduate students
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Social media (SM) exerts a progressively substantial influence on medical education. Although it can improve educational results and promote social interaction, excessive usage has been associated with mental health problems, psychological anguish, and academic underachievement. Objectives: To ascertain the effect of social media on the mental health, social behaviour, and academic performance of undergraduate medical students.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 300 MBBS students at the Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences (ASRAMS) in Eluru. A pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire was disseminated via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were used to identify patterns of social media use, and the relationships between these patterns and outcomes were examined.Results: WhatsApp and Instagram emerged as the predominant platforms, with 40.7% of participants indicating daily usage of 1–3 hours. While 56.7% of individuals recognised academic advantages, a significant number reported adverse consequences, such as procrastination (67%), memory challenges (66.7%), and mood fluctuations (69.6%). Regular engagement with social media (80%) and social comparison (58.6%) were prevalent behaviours.Conclusion: Social media exerts both advantageous and adverse impacts on medical students. Although it fosters academic involvement, over utilisation may negatively impact students' mental health and emotional well-being. Advocating for attentive usage and executing digital literacy initiatives are crucial for alleviating these adverse effects.
Institution: Malla Reddy Institute Of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7213660491