Title: Impact of Social Networking Sites: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study
Authors: Dr Nikhil Nishant, Dr Chhaya Rajguru, Dr Lalit Sankhe
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i3.25
Abstract
Background: Social media has really become an integral part of people in daily lives and online social networking sites have caused profound changes in the way people communicate and interact. Medical students belong to the group of youth and adolescent which form the major chunk of the population accessing Social Networking Sites (SNS) online. Age and responsibility lead to maturity and students tend to utilize the time more judicially and properly and not spend it on SNS. The growing popularity of social networking sites among students demands an introspection of the social behaviour.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the usage of social networking sites and its impact on sleep and social life among different batches of medical students.
Methods: A Cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among medical students using anonymous, self administered, structured questionnaire. Students were asked to provide demographic details, time spent on mobile and social networking sites along with sleeping habits and their perception about its affect on their social behaviour. A total of 210 students were included in the study.
Result: The mean age of Interns is 23.4 years whereas for 2nd year students it is 19.23 years with no significant difference in gender distribution between the two groups (p=0.44). Interns spend more time on voice calling and 2nd year students are more involved on SNS. There is significant variation in perception regarding spending less time on SNS (p=0.001) and it affecting the studies (p=0.009) among the two groups.
Conclusion: Like a coin with two sides, social networking sites have in their own way benefited as well as adversely affected the medical students. With time they become mature and are able to maintain a balance between Social media, academics and family. There is need to provide appropriate guidance and awareness to the students regarding use of Social Networking Sites.
Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Interns, Medical Students, Sleep, Social Life.
References
- Khurana N. The Impact of Social Networking Sites on the Youth. J Mass Commun Journal. 2015;5(12).
- Subrahmanyam K, Reich SM, Waechter N, Espinoza G. Online and offline social networks : Use of social networking sites by emerging adults. J Appl Dev Psychol. 2008;29:420–33.
- Nishant N, Rajguru C, Sankhe L. Social Networking Sites : A Study to Assess Its Affect on Sleeping Habits and Social Life of Medical Students. J Med Sci Clin Res. 2017;5(3):18275–9.
- Pantic I. Online Social Networking and Mental Health. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2014;17(10):652–7.
- Gok T. The Effects of Social Networking Sites on Students ’ Studying and Habits. Int J Res Educ Sci. 2016;2(1):85–93.
- Biswajit Das JSS. Social Networking Sites – A Critical Analysis of Its Impact on Personal and Social Life. Int J Bus Soc Sci. 2(14):222–8.
- Pantic I, Damjanovic A, Todorovic J, Topalovic D. Association Between Online Social Networking And Depression In High School Students : Behavioral Physiology Viewpoint. Psychiatr Danub. 2012;24(1):90–3.
- Wang Q, Chen W. The Effects of Social Media on College Students. 2011;
- Kirk-patrick C, Steijn R. How Much of an Effect Does Social Media Have on Insomnia and Depression. 2014;(April).
- Cachia Romina. Social Computing : Study on the Use and Impact of Online Social Networking [Internet]. 2008. Available from: http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/.
- Shad R, Thawani R, Goel A. Burnout and Sleep Quality : A Cross- Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study of Medical and Non-Medical Students in India. Cureus. 2015;7(10):e361.