The number of social media users has increased in the recent years, especially in the surge of COVID 19 pandemic. It became an instant savior when strict social distancing and lockdowns were implemented globally, offering a way of people to stay connected and informed during the challenging times. This scoping review aims to determine the factors associated with social media dependence among college students. Guided by PRISMA-ScR and PICo method, 54 relevant articles were collected through Google Scholar and PubMed. The majority of the research articles utilized cross-sectional, quantitative design. China, on the other hand, contributed the most publications from 2020 to 2024 with 2020 having the highest number. Meanwhile, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale was the most used scale in measuring social media use. A total of 16 categories and 53 subcategories were identified as factors associated with social media dependence, with well-being, anxiety, stress-related condition, academics and support emerging as the most prominent. Findings suggest that while social media serves as a tool for connection and coping, it is also linked to negative factors like mental health issues and poor academic outcomes. Thus, this calls for medical and public awareness to propose a preventive program that promotes responsible social media use and lessen potential negative outcomes. Future research should explore more diverse populations, research designs, and investigate clearly defined psychological constructs to strengthen understanding and inform effective intervention.

Authors:
Kathleen Kay Antonio, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Haslinda Abdullah, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

About the Presenter(s)
Ms. Kathleen Kay Antonio is currently affiliated at Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines where she serves as Instructor and Guidance Counselor.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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