To sign-up or not to sign-up: Predictors of problematic social media use among emerging adults

The pervasiveness of social media has led to a growing cause for concern regarding potential adverse effects that may stem from excessive social media usage, particularly in relation to its psychological effects. The authors in this study investigated problematic social media use and it's predictors among emerging adults in the Indian context.

We employed stratified cluster sampling technique in this cross-sectional study to select a sample of 204 students from government and private institutions. The inclusion criteria was specific to emerging adults aged 18 to 22 years. Tools included a proforma on socio-demographic data, the Social Media Disorder Scale and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. We examined the prevalence and predictors of problematic social media use from self-reports of emerging adults.

Prevalence of problematic social media use was measured at 7.8%. There was a negative correlation observed (r = -0.270, p<0.0001) between problematic social media use and self-esteem of the participants. Living in low-income households and signing up on a single social media platform were protective while lower age at initially signing up and and having a felt need for followers on social media networks increased the odds of problematic social media use.

Problematic social media use is inversely correlated with self-esteem of emerging adults. Characteristics of social media usage such as the age at signing up, the number of platforms signed up on and the need for followers significantly predicted problematic social media usage among emerging adults.