The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media: Medical Students’ Usage in Learning and Opinions

Objective: This cross-sectional study explores the usage patterns, perceived benefits, and adverse effects of social media among MBBS students across different academic years. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: ABWA Medical College, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: January 2024 to June 2024. Methods: The study involved 255 MBBS students from 1st, 3rd, and 4th MBBS years who were invited to fill out an online survey containing demographics, usage patterns, and perceptions of social media's impact on learning. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were evaluated through thematic analysis. Results: The average duration of social media use increased with academic progression, from 2.74 years in 1st-year students to 3.27 years in 4th-year students. Daily social media use also rose, from 3.93 hours in the 1st year to 4.73 hours in the 4th year, while time dedicated to educational purposes declined. Benefits included enhanced understanding and stress management, while adverse effects like distraction, health issues, misinformation, and time wastage were consistently reported across all years. Concerns about cyberbullying and privacy issues intensified in later years. Conclusion: Despite its educational potential, social media's growing usage presents significant challenges like distractions, burnout and time wastage. Addressing these issues is essential to optimize its role in medical education and ensure student well-being.