Predictors of addiction to smartphone social networks in Iranian first-year medical sciences students

Objective: Social media addiction (SMA) among male and female students is different and influenced by different factors. This study was conducted to investigate the predictors of SMA in male and female first-year medical sciences students of Ilam-Iran.Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 286 male and female first-year students living in dormitories entered the study in 2022 by cluster random sampling method. The data collection tools included demographic characteristics, activity in social medias, and smartphone addiction based on social media usage. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Independent t-test and the general linear model were used. Results: The mean ± SD of the overall score of SMA in females was lower than males, but there was no statistical difference (59.4 ± 18.8 vs. 63.3 ± 16.3, P=0.063). Both groups were in the range of normal users of social media. Females and males had statistically significant differences in subdomains of individual performance and social communication (P ≤ 0.001). Instagram was the most commonly used social media and female used Instagram less than male (45% vs. 48%, P>0.001). In both groups, use of social media in clinical settings, also in male amount of daily activity in social media were predictors of SMA.Conclusion: Students were in the range of normal users of social media, but they were active in social media in clinical settings and Instagram was the most commonly used social media. Education authorities should have appropriate planning to correct use of , social media in clinical settings.