Unplugging for Wellness: Psycho-behavioral Impact of Social Media Detox in Medical Students

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Original abstract

Social media detoxification has emerged as a strategy for enhancing well-being. This study investigates the effects of social media detox on the psychological well-being and academic performance of students. A total of 361 medical students participated in this study. After obtaining formal consent, the participants completed a structured survey administered in a controlled setting. The survey included sections on demographics, patterns of social media use (e.g., time spent, platforms accessed, and primary motivations), and standardized psychological assessment scales. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Most students (75.9%) reported using multiple social media platforms, with 36% spending two to four hours daily on these platforms. A substantial proportion (38.2%) exhibited signs of addiction, and nearly half (49.9%) perceived social media as having a negative impact on their mental health. Students in the detox group reported significantly improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety and stress, and enhanced academic performance (p<0.001). Furthermore, most students in the detox group (n = 188, 71.21%) expressed an intention to participate in future detox periods. Strong positive correlations were observed between detox practice and its duration (cc = 0.668), sleep quality (cc = 0.580), perceived improved stress (cc = 0.736), overall mental health (cc = 0.593), and academic performance (cc = 0.766), all with p-values <0.001. Collectively, these findings indicate that temporary abstinence from social media is associated with significant improvements in the well-being of students. The results underscore social media detoxification as a promising approach to support mental health and academic success among students.

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