Mental Health in School

Mental Health in School

Investigating the role of online gaming addiction and excessive use of social media in sleep disorders among students

Document Type : Review

Author
sarina zahedi
PhD student in psychology at Tarbiat Modares University
10.22034/jmhs.2025.516683.1133
Abstract
This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between online gaming addiction, excessive use of social media, and sleep disorders in university students. Analyzing 48 studies published between 2015 and 2024 (according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines), the findings showed that unbalanced digital behaviors were associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of sleep disorders (such as insomnia, delayed sleep onset, and reduced sleep quality). The prevalence of digital addiction in students was 23.6% for online gaming (based on the IGD-20 scale) and 31.2% for social media (based on the BSMAS). The main mechanisms identified included blue light-induced melatonin suppression (β = -0.34, p < 0.01), psychological arousal (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.45–2.35), and sleep time shift (β = -0.27, p < 0.05). Gender and cultural differences were significant: women were 1.5 times more likely to be affected by social media (mediated by FOMO) and men were 2 times more likely to be at risk of sleep disturbances caused by online gaming. This review emphasizes the need for multilevel interventions (individual, institutional, and technological) and future longitudinal research to examine the effects of emerging technologies (such as the metaverse). The findings are alarming: ignoring this issue may lead to a “silent epidemic” of sleep disorders in the next generation of students
Keywords
addiction
online games
social networks
sleep disorders

Subjects

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