Publication: Social networking addiction and mental health status among secondary students in SMJK Chung Hwa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
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Date
2025-08
Authors
Khin, Wang De
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Abstract
Social networking use has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives, raising growing concerns about its potential impact on mental health. Excessive use may lead to addictive behaviours and emotional disturbances, especially among secondary school students. This study aimed to determine the level of social networking addiction (SNA) and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS), as well as to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and both SNA and mental health outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 secondary school students from SMJK Chung Hwa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Data were collected using two validated instruments: the Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The results showed that 61.4% of students were not addicted to social networking, while 38.6% were addicted. In terms of mental health status, 60.8% had normal depression scores, 68.2% had normal stress scores, and only 43.8% had normal anxiety scores, indicating a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms. There was a significant positive correlation between SNA and all three mental health dimensions, depression (r = 0.391, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.283, p < 0.001), and stress (r = 0.429, p < 0.001). Average daily time spent on social networking was significantly associated with both SNA and depression levels (p < 0.05). Academic level was significantly associated with depression (p = 0.033), and gender was significantly associated with stress (p = 0.034). In conclusion, the study found a moderate prevalence of social networking addiction among adolescents, with notable links to mental health symptoms, particularly anxiety and stress. The findings suggest the need for targeted health education programmes focusing on time management, digital wellness, and mental health awareness among school-aged children
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