Perception of Social Media Addiction on Mental Health among Kwara State College of Education, Oro Final Year Students

Abstract

Social media addiction has emerged as a growing concern among students in Colleges of Education, particularly due to its psychological effects. This study examined the perception of social media addiction and its influence on the mental health of National Certificate in Education (N.C.E.) final-year students at Kwara State College of Education, Oro, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Using stratified random sampling across all five schools in the college, data were collected from 146 students (out of a total population of 231) using two validated instruments: the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), which ensured standardized and reliable measurement of the study variables. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were employed for data analysis. The results revealed that 82% of the students perceived social media addiction as a real and harmful phenomenon. Commonly reported symptoms included anxiety, poor sleep patterns, low concentration, emotional fatigue, and reduced attention to academic activities. Furthermore, 72% of students living off-campus reported frequent exposure to mental health challenges due to excessive social media use. The findings also indicated that 51.4% of the respondents were male. A statistically significant association was found between social media addiction and mental health symptoms (r = 0.275, p < 0.001). The study concludes that the perception of social media addiction plays a critical role in shaping students’ mental health and recommends targeted awareness programs, counseling interventions, and digital hygiene education within the college environment.