Navigating Digital Horizons: A Comprehensive Study on Internet, Social Media Use, and Gaming Patterns among Medical Students in Gujarat, India

Introduction: The ever-growing impact of the digital landscape on medical students necessitates a nuanced examination of internet, social media use, and gaming patterns. This study explores these digital habits among medical students in Gujarat, India. Objective: To discern the multifaceted aspects of internet and social media engagement, gaming preferences, and their potential impact on the well-being of medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was employed, encompassing medical students from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Gujarat. Ethical clearance was secured for voluntary and informed participation. A meticulously designed questionnaire facilitated comprehensive data collection. Demographic details, internet and social media usage patterns, gaming habits, and their implications were explored. Results: Demographic analysis revealed diverse academic year distribution, age categories, and gender representation. Sleep-related behaviors exposed intriguing patterns, with 27.4% preferring to sleep before 10:00 PM, 41.2% opting for bedtime between 10:00 PM and 12:00 AM, and 20.7% being night owls. Notably, 58.8% admitted to nocturnal social media engagement, with 58.1% reporting a sleep duration of 6-8 hours. Study provided a holistic view of participants’ health, academic performance, and gaming habits. Noteworthy findings included diverse physical activity levels (34.5% in moderate activity, 47.9% in high activity), prevalent information-seeking motives for social media use (81.0%), and varied gaming preferences. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for tailored interventions addressing the digital habits of medical students, considering their diverse engagement patterns and potential implications. Future initiatives should incorporate these insights to promote a balanced digital lifestyle among medical students.