Use of Social Media and its Effect on Health of Secondary Level Students of Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Abstract

Introduction: Social media is a trending fashion among teenagers and youths. Globally, among 7.426 billion population (2017), 3.773 billion were internet users, out of which 2.789 billion were active social users. Its utilization can be a boon or revile to people based on its use. The objective of this study was to determine use of social media and its effect on the health of secondary level students in Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Methods: This study was a school based cross-sectional study conducted among 422 students aged 14-16 years of Kathmandu Metropolitan, Bagmati. Government and private schools were selected randomly and students were recruited conveniently. Using a structured questionnaire, a face to face interview was conducted. We collected the data after obtaining ethical clearance from Nepal Health Research Council, Ref no. 105. Collected data were then entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. 

Results: In overall, 91% of the secondary level students used one or more types of social media where a stronger relationship was found between the use of social media and gender. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) was present in about 60% of the respondents and 20% of the respondents were at the risk of FOMO. Three-fifth of the respondents reported one or more physical problems due to social media use.

Conclusions: Use of social media was found increasing comparatively than previous year. Either its use was for good or bad purpose, during this process, more than half of the students suffered from various health problems. So, use of social media should be limited in early age students preventing lifelong health hazards.