Problematic social media use and associated consequences on academic performance decrement during Covid-19

Abstract

Based on the Stressor-Strain-Outcome (SSO) model, this study investigates the mechanism by which problematic social media use (PSMU) influences academic performance decrement via two psychological factors namely, technostress and exhaustion. It also identifies the social media usage characteristics of undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia during Covid-19. An online questionnaire was distributed to undergraduate social media users from Shaqra University. Analysis of the 312 responses shows that PSMU is a significant stressor affecting both technostress and exhaustion and thus reducing academic performance. Moreover, both are important mediators in the link between PSMU and decline in academic performance. WhatsApp, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram are the most popular social media networks used by the undergraduates while Facebook and Skype are the least preferred. Roughly one-third (31.41%) of the students spend more than six hours a day on social media. The findings will help educators and other stakeholders to design appropriate interventions and strategies to minimize the unfavourable effects of social media in academia.