European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

The unprecedented rise in the use of electronic devices and social media platforms has dramatically reshaped adolescent behavior, communication patterns, and lifestyle choices. Adolescents, undergoing complex emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial development, are particularly vulnerable to the influence of digital technology. While these platforms offer educational, creative, and social opportunities, growing evidence highlights a concerning association between excessive screen engagement and negative health outcomes [1].

A recent systematic review underscored that social media overuse among adolescents is significantly linked to deteriorating mental health, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress [1]. Similarly, a scoping review identified a wide range of physical and psychosocial risks, such as reduced academic attention, disrupted sleep, and impaired interpersonal relationships, particularly in younger users [2]. These patterns suggest that the digital environment may be contributing to the erosion of both psychological resilience and physical well-being in adolescents.

Excessive use of electronic devices has also been associated with visual strain, headaches, musculoskeletal discomfort, and diminished quality of life in adolescents, as reported in recent cross-sectional investigations [3]. In Southeast Asia, Kiatrungrit and Hongsanguansri observed that high school students engaged extensively with media, often displacing time for physical activity, study, and family interaction [4]. Moreover, advanced behavioral analyses such as latent class modeling have revealed distinct subgroups of adolescents based on their digital use profiles, with those heavily engaged showing greater vulnerability to poor psychosocial outcomes [5].

Despite increasing awareness, there remains a critical need for context-specific data on how these trends manifest among Indian adolescents, especially in semi-urban or urbanizing regions. This study was undertaken to explore the patterns of electronic device and social media usage among adolescents and to systematically evaluate their associated physical, academic, social, and emotional effects. The findings aim to inform educators, parents, and policymakers about the pressing need for digital health education and behavioral interventions.

Study Design and Setting:
This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among school and college-going adolescents in a semi-urban region of India. The study aimed to assess patterns of electronic device and social media usage, and their associated physical, academic, social, and emotional effects.

Study Population and Sampling:
A total of 118 adolescents aged between 11 and 19 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria were: (1) adolescents aged 11–19 years, (2) willing to provide informed consent/assent, and (3) able to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Adolescents with known neurological or psychiatric disorders were excluded to avoid confounding influences.

Data Collection Tool:
Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire developed by the investigators. The tool comprised sections on demographic details, daily electronic device and social media usage patterns, and specific questions addressing physical complaints (e.g., eye strain, headaches), academic performance, social interaction, lifestyle changes, and emotional effects (e.g., anxiety, loneliness, social isolation).

Procedure:
Participants were approached through schools and colleges with appropriate institutional permissions. The purpose of the study was explained, and informed consent (and assent, where applicable) was obtained. The questionnaire was administered in both printed and digital formats based on participant preference and convenience.

Ethical Considerations:
The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality of responses was strictly maintained. No personal identifiers were collected.

Data Analysis:
Collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables and presented in tabular form.

A total of 118 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years participated in the study. The majority (66.1%) were in the 17–19 years age group, while 14.4% and 17.0% belonged to the 11–13 and 14–16 age categories, respectively. Slightly more than half of the respondents were male (54.2%), while females accounted for 42.4% and 3.4% identified as others or chose not to disclose their gender (Table 1).

Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of Participants (N = 118)

Daily electronic device usage varied among participants, with 40.7% reporting 3–5 hours of usage and 24.6% using devices for 6–8 hours. Notably, 13.6% reported usage exceeding 8 hours per day. In terms of social media engagement, 43.2% of adolescents reported 1–2 hours of daily use, and 35.6% reported 3–5 hours. A small proportion (8.5%) used social media for more than 6 hours daily (Table 2).

Table 2: Daily Usage of Electronic Devices and Social Media (N = 118)

*Note: “1–3 hours” overlaps with other ranges due to self-reported entry inconsistency.

Regarding behavioral patterns, 66.1% of adolescents admitted to checking social media immediately upon waking, and 70.3% had previously attempted to reduce or quit social media use, indicating a high level of engagement and self-awareness about their usage (Table 3).

Table 3: Social Media Behavior Patterns (N = 118)

Figure 1. Social Media Behavior Patterns

Physical complaints attributed to excessive device or social media use were commonly reported. Eye strain or burning eyes was the most frequently reported symptom (34.7%), followed by sleep disturbances (24.6%), headaches (16.1%), and musculoskeletal pain (9.3%). Interestingly, 11% of respondents reported no physical symptoms, and 4.2% did not specify any response (Table 4).

Table 4: Physical Symptoms Due to Device/Social Media Use (N = 118)

Figure 2. Physical Symptoms Due to Device/Social Media Use

Social media use was perceived to have affected academic and interpersonal functioning. Specifically, 66.9% of participants reported an adverse impact on academic performance, while 74.6% acknowledged reduced time spent with family and friends. Furthermore, 43.2% had skipped meals or lost sleep due to prolonged use of social media or gaming platforms (Table 5).

Table 5: Academic and Social Impact of Social Media (N = 118)

Figure 3.Academic and Social Impact of Social Media

Emotional effects related to excessive use were also evident. Approximately 21.2% of participants reported experiencing anxiety, while 20.3% experienced feelings of loneliness. Social isolation (16.1%), pressure to keep up with online trends (15.3%), and depressive symptoms (11.9%) were also reported. A subset (15.3%) did not report any emotional effects or left the item unanswered (Table 6).

Table 6: Emotional Effects of Excessive Use (N = 118)

Figure 4. Emotional Effects of Excessive Use

This study highlights critical insights into the behavioral trends and psychosocial impacts associated with electronic device and social media use among adolescents. The findings reveal a widespread pattern of excessive screen exposure and its adverse consequences on physical health, academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and emotional well-being.

The high prevalence of screen engagement, with over 75% of participants using electronic devices for more than 3 hours daily and 43.2% spending over 2 hours on social media, aligns with international findings that document a growing dependency on digital platforms among adolescents [6]. Similar to earlier studies, the majority of participants belonged to the 17–19 age group, suggesting that older adolescents are more digitally immersed due to increased educational demands and social connectivity needs [7].

Behavioral markers such as checking social media immediately upon waking (66.1%) and frequent attempts to reduce use (70.3%) point to problematic usage patterns that reflect both digital compulsion and self-awareness. These behaviors resonate with previous literature demonstrating the duality of digital engagement, wherein adolescents experience both gratification and psychological distress [8].

Physiological symptoms such as eye strain (34.7%), sleep disturbances (24.6%), and headaches (16.1%) were commonly reported and corroborate prior evidence indicating that prolonged screen use disrupts circadian rhythms and contributes to physical discomfort [9,10]. The decline in academic focus (66.9%) and reduced family interaction (74.6%) further emphasize the extent to which screen time displaces essential developmental and relational activities [11].

Emotional disturbances including anxiety, loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms were also prevalent. These outcomes mirror findings from recent meta-analyses and pandemic-era surveys, which highlight how excessive digital media use exacerbates psychological vulnerabilities and impairs emotional regulation in adolescents [12]. Social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to maintain online visibility may intensify these effects.

Limitations

This study employed a cross-sectional design, limiting the ability to infer causal relationships between device usage and its impacts. The use of convenience sampling may introduce selection bias, and the self-reported nature of the questionnaire could be influenced by recall and social desirability bias. Additionally, the study was confined to a specific geographic region and lacked detailed clinical assessment for psychological outcomes, which may affect generalizability. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to validate and expand on these findings.

The present study reveals a high prevalence of prolonged electronic device and social media usage among adolescents, with significant physical, academic, social, and emotional implications. The majority of participants reported adverse outcomes, including visual strain, disrupted sleep, academic decline, reduced family interaction, and emotional disturbances such as anxiety and loneliness. These findings highlight an urgent need for awareness programs, structured digital literacy education, and active parental involvement to promote healthy screen habits. Schools and healthcare providers should collaborate to identify at-risk individuals and implement early interventions. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs to explore the long-term consequences and develop evidence-based digital wellness strategies for adolescents.

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