SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

Project Based Learning Report

Everyday Psychology

(24B36HS111)

JAYPEE INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(Declared Deemed to be University U/S 3 of UGC Act)
A-10, SECTOR-62, NOIDA, INDIA
April, 2024

Submitted to: Dr. Yogita Naruka

Submitted by: Khushi Walia , 23517017, BCA-1

Kanak Rawat , 23517019, BCA-1
Yashvardhan Malhotra , 23517022, BCA-2
Amisha Upadhyay, 23517053, BCA-2
1. Introduction
 Overview of Social Media Addiction:
Social media addiction refers to a compulsive and excessive use of social media platforms
that leads to negative consequences in various aspects of an individual's life, such as personal
relationships, work or academic performance, mental and emotional well-being, and physical
health. Similar to other forms of addiction, such as substance abuse or gambling addiction,
social media addiction involves a loss of control over one's behavior and a strong craving or
dependence on social media usage.

Social media addiction manifests through behaviors such as constantly checking social media
feeds, spending excessive amounts of time on social networking sites, feeling anxious or
restless when unable to access social media, neglecting real-life responsibilities and
relationships in favor of online interactions, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when
attempting to reduce social media usage.

 Purpose of the Report:

The purpose of this project-based learning report on social media addiction is to:
1. Understand the nature and prevalence of social media addiction.
2. Explore its impact on mental health, relationships, and productivity.
3. Identify causes and contributing factors.
4. Propose prevention and intervention strategies.
5. Advocate for responsible social media use and digital well-being practices.

 Scope:
 This report focuses on social media addiction, covering its definition, prevalence,
causes, effects, and implications.
 It examines the impact of social media addiction on mental health, relationships,
productivity, and physical well-being.
 Recommendations for prevention and intervention strategies are provided.

 Limitations:
 Data availability and reliability may limit the findings.
 Cultural and demographic differences may affect generalizability.
 Effectiveness of strategies may vary based on individual circumstances.
 Ethical considerations and privacy concerns may impose limitations.
 Rapid changes in social media technologies may pose challenges in capturing current
trends.
2. Literature Review
 Background Information:
 Social media platforms emerged in the late 20th century, evolving from early online
communication tools like bulletin board systems and forums.
 Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram popularized social networking in the
early 2000s.
 The rise of smartphones in the 2010s accelerated social media usage, leading to
constant connectivity and widespread adoption.
 Today, social media continues to evolve with features like live streaming and
augmented reality, shaping online communication and interaction.

 Research Findings:
 Studies identify social validation, fear of missing out (FOMO), and escapism as
common causes of social media addiction.
 Effects include anxiety, depression, loneliness, and negative impacts on relationships.
 Prevalence varies, with higher rates among adolescents and young adults.
 Prevention strategies focus on digital literacy and healthy online habits.

 Theoretical Frameworks:
 Psychological theories, such as reinforcement theory and self-determination theory,
explain social media addiction as a result of reward-seeking behavior and the need
for autonomy and competence.
 Sociocultural perspectives highlight the influence of societal norms, peer pressure,
and cultural values on social media usage patterns and addiction behaviors.
 Cognitive-behavioral models emphasize the role of cognitive biases, maladaptive
beliefs, and coping mechanisms in the development and maintenance of social media
addiction.

3. Methodology
 Research Design:
 Utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and literature analysis.
 Participant Recruitment:
 Convenience sampling method used for survey participants.
 Ensured voluntary participation and confidentiality of responses.
 Data Collection:
 Surveys conducted online using Google Forms.
 Literature analysis involved systematic review of relevant studies from academic
databases.
4. Data Analysis
 Quantitative Analysis:
Survey Question 1: On average, how many hours per day do you spend on social media?
 Respondent 1: 2 hours
 Respondent 2: 1.5 hours
 Respondent 3: 3 hours
 Respondent 4: 4 hours
 Respondent 5: 2.5 hours
Survey Question 2: How often do you feel anxious when you cannot access social media?
 Respondent 1: Sometimes
 Respondent 2: Rarely
 Respondent 3: Often
 Respondent 4: Never
 Respondent 5: Sometimes
 Qualitative Analysis:
Survey Question: How does social media usage impact your daily life?
 Respondent 1: "I feel more connected to my friends, but sometimes I get
overwhelmed by comparing myself to others."
 Respondent 2: "Social media helps me stay updated, but I find it hard to disconnect
and focus on other things."
 Respondent 3: "I enjoy sharing moments with friends, but I've noticed it distracts me
from my work and hobbies."
 Respondent 4: "I use social media to relax, but I've realized it's affecting my sleep
and productivity."
 Respondent 5: "I feel pressure to always be online, which adds to my stress and
anxiety."

5. Findings
 Key Findings:
 Prevalence of social media addiction: Our research indicates a significant
prevalence of social media addiction, particularly among adolescents and young
adults.
 Impact on mental health: Social media addiction is associated with increased levels
of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among users.
 Effects on relationships: Individuals addicted to social media may experience strain
in personal relationships, including conflicts and decreased intimacy.Impact on
mental health: Social media addiction is associated with increased levels of anxiety,
depression, and loneliness among users.
 Effects on relationships: Individuals addicted to social media may experience strain
in personal relationships, including conflicts and decreased intimacy.
  Comparison with Existing Literature:
 Our findings align with existing research, which also highlights the prevalence
and negative impact of social media addiction on mental health and
relationships.
 However, our research adds nuance by identifying specific age groups and
demographic factors that may be more susceptible to social media addiction.
 Further investigation is needed to explore potential interventions and strategies
for mitigating the adverse effects of social media addiction.

6. Discussion
 Interpretation of Results:
Our findings underscore the significant impact of social media addiction on mental health and
relationships, highlighting the need for proactive measures to address this issue.
 Limitations:
 Convenience sampling method may limit the generalizability of results.
 Self-reported data may be subject to bias and inaccuracies.
 Future Research Directions:
 Investigate the effectiveness of interventions targeting specific demographic groups.
 Explore the long-term effects of social media addiction on individuals' well-being.
 Examine the role of social media platforms in perpetuating addiction behaviors and
explore strategies for promoting healthier online environments.

7. Conclusion
 Summary:
Our report highlighted the prevalence and negative impact of social media addiction on
mental health and relationships, emphasizing the need for intervention.
 Contributions:
This project-based learning report provided insights into the causes, effects, and implications
of social media addiction, contributing to the understanding of this growing issue.
 Final Thoughts:
Addressing social media addiction is crucial for promoting digital well-being and fostering
healthier online habits. It requires collaborative efforts from individuals, families, educators,
and policymakers to create a safer and more balanced digital environment for all.
8. References:

 Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017).

The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem:
Findings from a large national survey. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 287-293.

 Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017).

Social networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311.

 Lin, J. H. (2019).
Effects of social media use on relationship satisfaction: A meta-analysis.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(2), 87-95.

 Primack, B. A., et al. (2017).

Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the U.S.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(1), 1-8.

 Twenge, J. M., et al. (2018). I

ncreases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among
U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical
Psychological Science, 6(1), 3-17.

 Vannucci, A., & McCauley Ohannessian, C. (2019).

Social media use subgroups differentially predict psychosocial well-being during early
adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48(8), 1469-1493.

 Weinstein, E., et al. (2017).

Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PLOS ONE,
12(10), e0186619.