Use of Social Networks in University Studies: A Peruvian Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of addiction to social networks among students at a Peruvian university. The sample consisted of 3026 students (1768 females, 58.4%; 1258 males, 41.6%) from three different fields of study: social sciences, engineering, and biomedical sciences. Data were collected using the Social Media Addiction Scale–Student Form (SMA–SF), which was previously adapted to the Peruvian context, establishing four dimensions: satisfaction/tolerance, problems, obsession with being informed and need to be connected. Among the results obtained, it is possible to highlight factors that influence the use of social networks, such as, that their use varied according to age, year of university studies, gender, and area of study; in addition, significant differences in gender were observed, with men using them more for various activities and expressing feelings about their use. Engineering and Social Science students were more likely to show feelings towards networks than Biomedical Science students, among others. Students in the 16–20 age range showed greater expressions of feelings about the use of social networks than those in other age ranges.

Keywords

• social networks
• addiction
• university students