Social Media Addiction and Its Impact on Mental Health Among Medical Students in Puducherry: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Social media use is highly prevalent among young adults and may adversely affect mental health. However, evidence regarding social media addiction and its relationship with mental health among medical students in Puducherry is limited. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 undergraduate medical students in a private medical college in Puducherry. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Social media addiction was assessed using the six-item BSMAS, with scores ≥19 indicating problematic use. Mental health was assessed using the three DASS-21 subscales. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Among the participants, 78.3% reported spending more than two hours per day on social media, while 13.3% reported usage exceeding six hours daily. The mean BSMAS score was 17.8±4.6, and 105 (35.0%) participants had problematic social media use according to the predefined cutoff of ≥19. DASS-21 depression scores were normal in 120 (40.0%) participants, while 180 (60.0%) had at least mild depressive symptoms. A significant association was observed between social media addiction and depression severity (p<0.001). Conclusion: Social media addiction was highly prevalent among medical students and was significantly associated with depression severity. Targeted awareness programmes, responsible digital-use practices, and early mental health screening may help address these concerns among medical students.