Social networking sites (SNSs) have become integral to university students' daily lives, serving as platforms for communication, social interaction, and academic engagement. However, limited research has explored how usage patterns differ among health science students and the extent to which these platforms influence their academic experiences and performance, particularly in the context of medical education. This study aims to assess the prevalence and patterns of social networking site usage among undergraduate health science students in Mangalore. It also explores students' perceptions of SNS use in medical education and examines its association with academic performance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 287 students from medical, dental, and allied health sciences across two colleges. A validated questionnaire gathered data on demographics, SNS usage frequency, preferred platforms, and perceived benefits and drawbacks. Descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple regression analyses assessed the relationship between SNS use and academic performance. 48.7% of students reported daily SNS use. While entertainment was the primary reason, 98.2% also used SNSs for academic collaboration. Medical students favored WhatsApp for study, while nonmedical students preferred Instagram and YouTube for both social and educational purposes. Frequent academic SNS use was positively associated with better academic performance. However, students reported concerns about privacy, data security, and distractions from extended use. SNS use is rising in tertiary healthcare education, with varying patterns among student groups. While it supports academic performance, issues like privacy and screen time need attention. Tailored strategies can enhance effective use of SNSs in education and improve learning outcomes.
Kotianv et al. (Thu,) studied this question.