Title: Social Networking Sites: A Study to Assess Its Affect on Sleeping Habits and Social Life of Medical Students

Authors: Dr Nikhil Nishant, Dr Chhaya Rajguru, Dr Lalit Sankhe

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.02

Abstract

Background: “The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it” (Weiser,1991)

The growing popularity of social networking sites among students demands an introspection of the social behaviour. With advent of smartphones and better, faster internet facility, mobile phones have become the most easy way to have everything literally on the tip of fingers wherever and whenever one wants.

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to study the need for social network sites, extent of its usage and how does it affect the sleeping habits and social life of users.

Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted among second year 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.

Result: The mean age of the students is 19.23 years with time spent on SNS ranging from 5 minutes to 18 hours and Facebook and Whatsapp being the preferred choice. More than 2/3rd felt the need to reduce the usage as it was negatively affecting their lives.

Conclusion: There is need to encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyle which can be undertaken through counselling sessions and showing them how the social network sites can be used for constructive purposes.

Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Mobile phones, Sleep .

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Corresponding Author

Dr Nikhil Nishant

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone no: 09594966973