Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between social media usage, social media addiction (SMA), and the effect SMA has on young adults in Edmonton and the surrounding areas. The hypothesis of this study is as follows: Over half of young adults in the Edmonton area are addicted to social media. Six peer-reviewed research studies have been collected that discuss topics such as social media addiction, social media usage, negative effects of social media on young adults, and traits common with high social media usage. The current research will add to the academic conversation surrounding this complex topic. Three phases of data collection were used to collect and analyze the quantitative and qualitative data needed to conclude the research: (1) an online survey on the general conceptions around social media usage, (2) a screen time log that tracked participants’ social media usage hours for one week, and (3) a follow-up interview that determined participants’ perception of social media and addiction. The survey yielded 66 responses, the social media screen-time screenshots yielded 10 participants, and the interviews yielded two participants The main conclusions of this study are as follows: this sample spends more time on social media than the average global population; there is a negative perception and hesitancy surrounding the term addiction; social media has become integral to the lives of most people and is difficult to avoid; and frequent social media use is not always attributed to addiction.

Keywords: social media addiction, young adult, social media, addiction