Potential use of large language models for mitigating students' problematic social media use: ChatGPT as an example

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Artificial Intelligence
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Problematic social media use negatively impacts daily life, relationships, and health.
• Existing interventions for social media overuse are limited in scope and effectiveness.
• Large language models (LLMs) are emerging as versatile tools with potential applications in various life domains.

Discussion:

• LLMs like ChatGPT can act as conversational partners, providing personalized resources and support for users struggling with social media addiction.
• These models can potentially monitor usage patterns and offer timely interventions to mitigate negative consequences.
• The integration of LLMs offers a novel approach to managing and reducing problematic social media engagement.

Key Insights:

• LLMs demonstrate significant potential in offering personalized support and resources to combat problematic social media use.
• Key applications include acting as conversational agents, providing tailored information, and facilitating intervention strategies.
• The technology offers a scalable solution to address a widespread issue with significant public health implications.

Outlook:

• Further research is needed to explore the full capabilities and optimal implementation strategies for LLMs in digital wellness.
• Ethical considerations, including data privacy, security, and potential overreliance, must be addressed to ensure responsible deployment.
• A balanced approach, leveraging LLM benefits while mitigating risks, is essential for harnessing this technology effectively for societal well-being.