Socially Responsible Technology: Examining Social Media Addiction and Mental Health among University Students

The expanding adoption of social media offers new opportunities for information sharing and social connection, yet excessive use can adversely affect the psychological well-being of university students, making ethical digital engagement essential for both social sustainability and human capital development. Despite growing global evidence, limited research in Bangladesh has examined how social media addiction relates to depression, anxiety, fear of missing out (FoMO), escapism, loneliness, and self-esteem. This study assessed the prevalence of social media addiction and its association with mental health indicators among university students in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 300 students drawn from 15 public, private, and national universities, using validated psychometric scales and multiple linear regression analysis. Results indicated that social media addiction, loneliness, FoMO, and escapism significantly predicted both depression and anxiety, explaining 50.4% and 53.7% of the variance, respectively. The findings highlight the need for responsible digital engagement, balanced lifestyles, counseling, and spiritual practices. University students should adopt conscientious social media habits to mitigate depression and anxiety, support mental well-being, and reinforce human capital development and social sustainability.