Effect of Social Media Addiction on Emotional Intelligence in Young Adults

Abstract

The present study investigated the impact of social media usage on emotional intelligence (EI) among college students. A total of 100 participants aged 18–25 years were purposively selected and categorized as Active Users (more than 4 hours/day) or Minimal Users (less than 2 hours/day). Emotional intelligence, including its four dimensions self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills was assessed using the Emotional Intelligence Scale, while social media addiction was measured using the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS). Comparative analysis revealed that active users scored significantly lower than minimal users across all EI dimensions and overall EI. Correlational analysis showed significant negative relationships between social media addiction and all EI dimensions, indicating that excessive social media use adversely affects emotional functioning. Findings highlight the need for balanced digital engagement to support emotional well-being and interpersonal competence among young adults.