Prevalence and Determinants of Social Media Addiction among Medical Students in a Selected University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Alfaya, Mansour A.; Abdullah, Naif Saud; Alshahrani, Najim Z.; Alqahtani, Amar Abdullah A.; Algethami, Mohammed R.; Al Qahtani, Abdulelah Saeed Y.; Aljunaid, Mohammed A.; Alharbi, Faisal Turki G.

doi:10.3390/healthcare11101370

Cited by 46Impact of Technology on AdolescentsSocial Media in Health EducationSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Prevalence and Determinants of Social Media Addiction among Medical Students in a Selected University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Alfaya, Mansour A., Abdullah, Naif Saud, Alshahrani, Najim Z., Alqahtani, Amar Abdullah A., Algethami, Mohammed R., Al Qahtani, Abdulelah Saeed Y., Aljunaid, Mohammed A., Alharbi, Faisal Turki G.·2023·Healthcare

DOI 10.3390/healthcare11101370PMC PMC10217812

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Abstract

Social media addiction has become a serious public health concern due to its adverse psychological effects. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of social media addiction among medical students in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was designed. Participants (n = 326) from King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia completed the sociodemographic information, patient health questionnaire-9 scale, and the generalized anxiety disorder-7 tool to measure explanatory variables. The Bergen social media addiction scale (BSMAS) was used to measure social media addiction. A multiple linear regression model was fitted to investigate the predictors of social media addiction. The prevalence of social media addiction among study participants was 55.2% (mean BSMAS score: 16.6). According to the adjusted linear regression, male students had higher social media addiction scores than their female counterparts (β = 4.52, p < 0.001). Students’ academic performance was negatively associated with social media addiction scores. Moreover, students with symptoms of depression (β = 1.85, p = 0.005) or anxiety (β = 2.79, p = 0.003) had a higher BSMAS score compared to their counterparts. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to identify the causal factors of social media addiction, which would assist intervention initiatives by policymakers.

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A study of medical students in 2023 in the Riyadh region found that 55% of the participants were addicted to social media.
“Furthermore, a study of medical students in 2023 in the Riyadh region found that 55% of the participants were addicted to social media.[8]”
From Does social media addiction disrupt mindful attention of students in health colleges at a university in Saudi Arabia? (2025) · cites this paper as [8]
The Discussion reports social media addiction in 55.2% of the medical students studied, supporting the rounded 55% figure. However, the Study Design and Protocol section places the study at King Khalid University in Abha, not the Riyadh region. (LLM, conf=0.90)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
SMA was assessed using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), a validated instrument.
“The questionnaire consisted of three parts: Participants characteristics and two validated questionnaires.”
From Does social media addiction disrupt mindful attention of students in health colleges at a university in Saudi Arabia? (2025) · cites this paper as [8]
Excessive engagement with social media can impair attention.
“Studies show that excessive engagement with social media can impair attention.”
From Does social media addiction disrupt mindful attention of students in health colleges at a university in Saudi Arabia? (2025) · cites this paper as [8]
A score of 16 or higher on the BSMAS indicates SMA.
“A score of 16 or higher on the BSMAS indicates SMA.[814]”
From Does social media addiction disrupt mindful attention of students in health colleges at a university in Saudi Arabia? (2025) · cites this paper as [8]

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Authors: Alfaya, M. A., Abdullah, N. S., Alshahrani, N. Z., Alqahtani, A. A. A., Algethami, M. R., Al Qahtani, A. S. Y., Aljunaid, M. A., & Alharbi, F. T. G.
Affiliations: Ministry of Health (SA)
University of Jeddah (SA)
College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University (SA)
Corresponding author: Alfaya, Mansour A.
Alshahrani, Najim Z.
ORCID: Abdullah, Naif Saud
Alshahrani, Najim Z.
Algethami, Mohammed R.
Aljunaid, Mohammed A.
Venue: Healthcare
Publisher: MDPI AG
Published: 2023-05-10
Volume: 11
Issue: 10
Pages: 1370
ISSN: 2227-9032 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101370
PMC: PMC10217812
OpenAlex: W4378515710
Cited by: 46
References: 57
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 3
FWCI: 19.77
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Healthcare (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords: social media addiction, medical students, prevalence, determinants, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, depression, anxiety, academic performance, sex differences, Saudi Arabia

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Prevalence and Determinants of Social Media Addiction among Medical Students in a Selected University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

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