Impact of social media addiction among the college students conducted in Mysore.

This study investigates the impact of social media addiction among college students in Mysore, exploring how popular platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter influence their academic performance, mental health, and personal lives. Utilizing a descriptive research design, primary data was gathered via a structured questionnaire from a sample of 100 college students using a convenience sampling technique. The demographic data reveals a predominance of female respondents ($63.64\%$) and individuals within the 20–25 age group ($85.45\%$). One-sample Chi-square tests were employed to analyse student behaviour’s, attitudes, and the subsequent psychological impacts associated with daily digital media consumption. The findings indicate that while social media serves as a vital tool for communication, entertainment, and education, its excessive and uncontrolled usage triggers clear signs of dependency. A substantial portion of respondents ($45.45\%$) reported an immediate urge to check their profiles upon waking up, and $40\%$ admitted to frequently losing track of time while online. The psychological and behavioural consequences include reduced concentration during lectures, heightened anxiety or insecurity linked to viewing others' online profiles, and mixed shifts in face-to-face communication. Interestingly, while $29.09\%$ of students acknowledged a drop in their grades due to prioritizing screen time over studying, the largest segment ($34.55\%$) did not perceive a severe academic decline, highlighting varied individual experiences with digital distraction. Ultimately, the study concludes that balancing digital engagement with academic responsibilities is essential to prevent social media from degrading productivity and overall well-being. To mitigate these risks, the study suggests that students adopt strict time-management practices and that educational institutions implement digital wellness workshops and counseling support. Encouraging engagement in extracurricular activities, optimizing platforms for educational growth, and establishing cooperative parental guidance are recommended as vital steps to foster healthier, more balanced habits among the youth.