Social - Media and Internet Addiction - Current Trends and Future Implication for Adolescents and Adults

Introduction: Social media is a double-edged sword. It provides us with lots of information, communication facilities, and many other benefits in work, education, and even leisure time. Because technology is becoming more widely available, social media and internet addiction among adults and teenagers has become a major problem. Reduced productivity, sleep disruptions, mental health problems, and diminished social skills are some of the negative consequences of this addiction trend. Raising awareness and educating people about the dangers of excessive internet use is essential as technology advances. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between time spent and life satisfaction and social media addiction in adults and adolescents. A prospective study design based on observational Performa was employed. Methodology: In this study, 127 adolescent and young students were included in a multistage random sample. Two tools were utilized in this study included; Tool I: Internet Addiction Test (IAT); Tool II: Social Media Addiction Scale Student Form (SMAS-SF). Results: Over half of the adolescents were found to be extremely addicted to social media. Most of them spent excessive amounts of time on these platforms, and more than three-quarters exhibited a tendency to waste time in their daily lives. Conclusion: This study found that more teens are getting hooked on social media—and it’s starting to mess with their sense of purpose and long-term goals. It’s a good idea to offer regular educational programs that help teens understand what responsible social media use looks like—and how to make the most of their online accounts without falling into trouble.