Social Media Use and Its Effects on Students’ Digital Well-Being and Academic Performance: A Survey-Based Study

Social media has become an important part of students' daily life, yet its implications on their academic and digital well-being remains as a growing concern. This study sought to investigate the patterns of social media utilization among students at Bulacan State University – Bustos and to ascertain its impact on their digital well-being and academic productivity. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 372 students through a structured online questionnaire incorporating both Likert-scale and open-ended statements. Findings indicate that a large portion of respondents engage with social media daily, with 103 respondents spending over 8 hours per day. Additionally, most students utilize social media for academic, social, and entertainment purposes. Additionally, quantitative findings showed that students agreed that social media affects their digital well-being as well as their academic productivity, indicating an agreement that social media impacts study habits, focus, and time management. Quantitative analysis using Welch’s ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation revealed that students who spent more hours on social media reported lower academic productivity and experienced impacts on sleep, stress, and focus. Qualitative findings supported these results, where majority of the respondents answered lack of self-discipline as one of the challenges they face. As a result, it was recommended by the majority that self-discipline must be practiced managing their digital habits better, followed by time management, and having healthy habits and lifestyle. Moreover, the findings underscore the need for educational institutions to promote responsible digital habits through seminars, policy interventions, and support systems that empower students to manage their online behaviour effectively.