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Social Networks Consumption and Addiction in College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Educational Approach to Responsible Use

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  • José Gómez-Galán

    (Department of Education, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas, s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
    College of Education, Ana G. Méndez University, Cupey Campus, San Juan, PR 00926, USA)

  • José Ángel Martínez-López

    (Department of Social Work and Social Services, University of Murcia, 30003 Murcia, Spain)

  • Cristina Lázaro-Pérez

    (Department of Sociology, University of Murcia, C/ Campus Universitario, 11, 30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • José Luis Sarasola Sánchez-Serrano

    (Department of Social Work and Social Services, Faculty of Social Sciences, University Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain)

Abstract

Within the framework of digital sustainability, the increase in Internet consumption, and especially online social networks, offers social benefits, but is not without its drawbacks. For example, it can lead to psychological and/or psychiatric disorders in some people. Numerous researches are highlighting the similarities of these addictions with the consumption of toxic substances. University students are heavy users of the Internet and, in certain situations, addiction to online social networks can be the result of depression, harassment, and anxiety, among others, affecting their daily life, including their academic responsibilities. In recent months, an anomaly has occurred that may have contributed to intensifying this problem, namely the confinement produced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the whole world to a greater or lesser extent. In this cross-sectional study, with a descriptive and quantitative methodology, students from 14 Spanish universities were investigated in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to understand the effects of this situation on the problem described. The results show a high consumption of social networks during that time, with significant incidences of addiction. In parallel, the presence of comorbidity has been determined. In this scenario, it would be necessary to implement university educational programs to redirect these addictive behaviors, as well as preventative recommendations and actions to minimize negative impacts. This is a major problem that is growing, exacerbated by the global pandemic produced by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Situations of this gravity call for the development of preventive and educational measures for the responsible and sustainable use of ICT.

Suggested Citation

  • José Gómez-Galán & José Ángel Martínez-López & Cristina Lázaro-Pérez & José Luis Sarasola Sánchez-Serrano, 2020. "Social Networks Consumption and Addiction in College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Educational Approach to Responsible Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7737-:d:415615
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baldry, Anna Costanza & Sorrentino, Anna & Farrington, David P., 2019. "Cyberbullying and cybervictimization versus parental supervision, monitoring and control of adolescents' online activities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 302-307.
    2. José Gómez-Galán & Diego Vergara & Eva Ordóñez-Olmedo & María Guadalupe Veytia-Bucheli, 2020. "Time of Use and Patterns of Internet Consumption in University Students: A Comparative Study between Spanish-Speaking Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-17, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Inês Mendonça & Franz Coelho & Paulo Ferrajão & Ana Maria Abreu, 2022. "Telework and Mental Health during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-23, February.
    2. Kateřina Lukavská & Václav Burda & Jiří Lukavský & Michaela Slussareff & Roman Gabrhelík, 2021. "School-Based Prevention of Screen-Related Risk Behaviors during the Long-Term Distant Schooling Caused by COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Dana Rad & Gavril Rad, 2021. "The relationship between social media context awareness and active coping during COVID-19: the mediation effect of positive reframing," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 21(1), pages 534-543, July.
    4. Kalyani Bhandari, 2021. "Exploitation Of Internet By Millennials Ensuing Covid Pandemic," Acta Informatica Malaysia (AIM), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 5(1), pages 25-30, July.

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