Internet addiction and loneliness among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a cross-sectional study

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Background and AimsThe number of social media users is growing with each passing day at full tilt, keeping pace with digitalization and technological advances. Despite several advantages, there are also certain negative aspects to using social networking sites (SNS) for communication, amusement, self‐expression, impression management, and other purposes. This study sought to investigate the association between mental health status and flaunting behaviors in social media among the general population in Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted this nationwide cross‐sectional online survey among 465 people aged between 18 and 60 between October 15, 2021 and January 15, 2022. Following electronic consent, we collected the socio‐demographic profiles and psychometric parameters of the respondents. Additionally, we assessed the diverse perspectives on SNS usage and its relationship to the self‐reported symptoms of depression and loneliness.ResultsThe estimated prevalence of loneliness and depressive symptoms were 65.16% (mild: 39.57%, moderate: 16.56%, severe: 9.03%) and 55.49% (mild: 26.67%, moderate: 22.15%, severe: 6.67%), respectively. Key factors associated with flaunting on social media were mental health issues such as depression and loneliness. Several social factors were also considered, such as being young, of the male sex, unmarried, illiterate, a student, urban dwelling, average economic status, nuclear family structure, types of SNSs, checking social media first in the morning, and the use of SNS for gaining popularity.ConclusionA significant portion of SNS users reported symptoms of mental illness. Current study findings urge for longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes to have a nearly equal distribution of users from each social media platform for in‐depth exploration of how user attitudes about SNSs and site usage patterns impact the general public's mental health. We suggest that regulating SNS usage patterns and treatment approaches would improve the situation.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between flaunting behaviors on social media and among the general population in Bangladesh: A cross‐sectional study

Nazmunnahar,

Nasim,

Mosharrafa

et al. 2023

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“…17 There are cross-sectional studies in Bangladesh about the association between internet obsession or problematic internet use and the mental health of school-going adolescents. 18,19 Extreme and unrestrained social media usage has received substantial attention in recent years. 20 Using social networks has advantages and disadvantages.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Griffiths & Mamun (2019) identified that the risk of Facebook affection seems to be a crucial factor among Bangladeshi students, and depression is one of the main combined factors 17 . There are cross‐sectional studies in Bangladesh about the association between internet obsession or problematic internet use and the mental health of school‐going adolescents 18,19 . Extreme and unrestrained social media usage has received substantial attention in recent years 20 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of social media usage on academic performance of university students: Mediating role of mental health under a cross‐sectional study in Bangladesh

Mosharrafa,

Akther,

Siddique

2024

Background and AimSocial media is undeniably more accessible and more appreciated today. It is undoubtedly one of the most crucial instruments for student communication. Mental health status can also meaningfully influence the students at the higher levels of the educational institutions. This study aims to evaluate the social media usage of university students and its impact on academic performance and mental health.MethodsTo examine under confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) several scale measurements were confirmed by justifying the validity and reliability of several necessary indices and structural equation model. The mediation analysis was also estimated to evaluate the students' Social media addiction (employed Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale) under maximum likelihood estimation with 2000 bootstrapping and 95% bias‐corrected bootstrap confidence intervals.ResultsThis study shows that the usage of social media significantly improves academic performance on psychological well‐being, with a Comparative Fit Index of 0.921 and an RMSEA of 0.06 indicating a good fit of the CFA model. Finally, we exhibit a strong statistically significant positive impact of social media usage on academic success, and as supporting the hypothesis, the study observed a positive mediating role of mental health between social media addiction and academic performance.ConclusionThe present research investigations produced unique results, that is, online social media enhances mental health and mediates the link between social media addiction and academic performance in Bangladeshi students. This finding also add to the empirical database on social media usage and have significant theoretical and practical ramifications.

“…Bangladesh has suffered extreme devastation as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The country faced several challenges regarding its society, school system, and social life, all needing improvement 8–12 . COVID‐19 has a considerable influence on patients' overall health, including their emotional and physical well‐being.…”

Section: Impact Of Covid‐19 In Bangladeshmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The country faced several challenges regarding its society, school system, and social life, all needing improvement. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 COVID‐19 has a considerable influence on patients' overall health, including their emotional and physical well‐being. Hospitals and other medical facilities in Bangladesh have experienced significant difficulties in treating patients during the early stage of the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”

Section: Impact Of Covid‐19 In Bangladeshmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID‐19 vaccination success in Bangladesh: Key strategies were prompt response, early drives for vaccines, and effective awareness campaigns

Nazmunnahar

Ahamed

Haque

et al. 2023

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Bangladesh is located in Southeast Asia that has a high population density. It is a lower-middle-income country. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the nation that slowed its economic growth. It halted major industries, crippling the nation's economy. The students were uncertain after the declaration of school closures. Hospitals could not treat other patients properly due to the vast health burden of COVID-19. Bangladesh put up a solid fight during COVID-19 as a lowermiddle-income country. Prompt action, early vaccination drives, effective awareness campaigns, and widespread public involvement have enabled Bangladesh to bring more than 90% of its population into COVID-19 vaccination coverage. It was possible by the effective diplomatic and local health strategy implemented by the Bangladeshi government, the country's extensive prior experience, and its long