Digital Dependency and Sleep Deprivation: The Dual Roles of Addiction and Burnout in Modern Media Consumption

Excessive reliance on digital media has raised global concerns about its implications for sleep health, yet limited research has examined how addiction and burnout jointly shape this relationship. Addressing this gap, the current study aims to investigate the dual roles of social media addiction and burnout in the link between digital dependency and sleep deprivation. A quantitative design was employed, drawing on survey data from 557 university students exposed to high levels of social media usage. A moderated mediation model was analyzed to test the direct effect of digital dependency on sleep disorder, the mediating effect of addiction, and the moderating influence of burnout. Results revealed three pivotal findings: first, digital dependency significantly predicts sleep disturbances; second, social media addiction fully mediates the dependency–sleep relationship, indicating that heightened reliance transforms into disordered sleep primarily via addictive patterns; and third, burnout amplifies the impact of dependency on sleep disorder, both directly and through addiction, thus exacerbating negative outcomes for those already experiencing emotional exhaustion. These insights underscore the intricate interplay between psychological states and behavioral tendencies, highlighting that mere dependency does not inevitably trigger poor sleep unless addictive and burnout processes emerge. By clarifying these pathways, this research contributes nuanced evidence to inform policy and practice, emphasizing the need for interventions that curtail compulsive media engagement and manage burnout symptoms. Ultimately, the findings advocate for balanced, self-regulated digital usage to safeguard physical and mental well-being in an increasingly digitized society.