The extensive use of social media by Arab university students (gratifications, impact, and risks)

• Extensive Social Media Usage· 68% of Arab university students surveyed use social media for over 60 hours per week, primarily for entertainment (95%), cultural exposure (94%), and self-expression (94%). Despite recognizing misinformation (81%) and content neglect (77%), students stay highly engaged. • Negative Impacts and Risks· Excessive social media use negatively correlates with satisfaction (-0.47, p = 0.007), reducing attention to local and global events.· Risks include misinformation, social detachment, and prioritizing superficial content over substantive societal concerns. • Potential Solutions· The study recommends awareness campaigns in Arab universities and national initiatives to channel youth engagement.· Formal mechanisms should integrate youth into national discussions, balancing social media engagement. This study investigated the effects of extensive social media use on Arab university students, focusing on gratification, impact, and risk. An online survey was conducted with 536 students from three universities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The results showed that 68% of the students used social media for more than 60 h per week. While 81% of the students acknowledged the lack of credibility and 77% recognized social media’s tendency to ignore important issues, they continued to use it extensively for entertainment (95%), global cultural exposure (94%), and sharing thoughts (94%). Researchers found a moderate negative correlation (−0.47, p = 0.007) between the number of daily hours spent on social media and the level of satisfaction attained. According to this study, excessive use reduces attention to local and global issues, while exposing users to misinformation risks. Despite awareness of these negative consequences, students remain heavily engaged because of perceived benefits such as freedom of expression and networking opportunities. This study recommends implementing awareness and educational campaigns in Arab universities to promote an understanding of the risks associated with excessive reliance on social media. Additionally, it suggests that relevant ministries in developing countries should initiate projects to channel youth energy into productive fields, supporting activities that help students achieve their goals, while contributing positively to societal development.