Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Usage and Sleep Disorders Among College Student in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Background:

Sleep plays a vital role in adolescents’ physical and mental health. Yet, many young people fail to get adequate rest: globally, insufficient sleep, unrefreshing awakenings, and difficulty falling asleep are widespread. In Bangladesh, social media platforms—especially Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, forums, microblogs, and blogs—are extremely popular among youth. However, excessive social media use has been linked to worsened sleep quality and increased depressive symptoms in students both in Bangladesh and internationally.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to examine how the frequency and patterns of social media use among college students in Dhaka are associated with sleep quality—assessed using a validated instrument such as the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index—and depressive symptoms. It aims to identify the most commonly used platforms, evaluate their direct and indirect relationships with sleep disturbances and mood, and determine whether impaired sleep mediates the link between social media engagement and depression within this cohort.

Method:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2024 to October 2024 using a questionnaire that included the DASS-21 scale, along with socio-demographic, lifestyle, and academic factors to collect data. A total of 279 adolescents (aged 12–19) participated, with a mean age of 17 years (SD = 1.84). Descriptive analysis, as well as bivariate and multivariate linear regression, was performed to examine the associations between variables. Statistical analyses were conducted using Windows-based computer software, specifically the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.

Result:

Of the 279 college students analyzed (median daily social media use: 65.5 minutes, IQR 30–135), 39.1% experienced low, 28.3% medium, and 32.6% high sleep disturbance. While demographic factors like age, gender, residence, family type, and parental education did not significantly influence sleep quality, higher family income (>60,000 BDT) and being in a relationship were associated with greater disturbance. Predominantly, 71% used Facebook, 55% Instagram, 45% Twitter, and 20% other platforms, with Twitter users showing a marked male majority. Crucially, higher daily social media use (31–60 min: OR ≈8.1; 61–120 min: OR ≈7.6; 120+ min: OR ≈11.4), more frequent weekly visits (3–6 days: OR ≈5.6; daily: OR ≈10.7), and usage before bedtime (sometimes: OR ≈10.6; often: OR ≈12.9) were all strongly linked to elevated odds of sleep disturbance—outweighing demographic influences and suggesting a clear dose response relationship.

Conclusion:

This study fills a critical gap by examining how both the volume and frequency of social media use are linked to sleep disturbances among college-aged adolescent students in Dhaka group in the formative "emerging adulthood" stage, when habits solidify. We found a clear, dose–response association: higher daily use, more frequent visits, and bedtime usage all significantly increased the odds of sleep disruption. Despite limitations—cross-sectional design, self-reported measures, and a narrow age range, these findings highlight the growing influence of social media on sleep health in young adults. They underscore the need for longitudinal studies and interventions aimed at healthier engagement with social media to protect sleep and well-being.