Prevalence of Instagram Addiction among College Students: Assessing the Influence of Gender and Usage Duration

Abstract

Each year, the usage and misuse of technology, including services like social media, has risen exponentially, particularly among teens and young adults. This trend underscores the growing concern of behavioral disorders. While extensive research has been conducted on addiction to social networking sites (SNS), smartphone use, and the internet, there is a notable lack of studies specifically addressing addiction to Instagram. Instagram addiction is categorized as a behavioral addiction, characterized by an excessive need to use the platform and an uncontrollable urge to log in or engage with the service. Common reasons for this behavior include escapism, passing time without productivity, exhibitionism, amusement, socializing, and curiosity, particularly among young adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship and effects of Instagram addiction on various demographic groups. The sample consisted of 200 college students, aged 18-25 years. The Test for Instagram Addiction (TIA), developed by D’Souza et al. (2018), was used as the primary tool for data collection. Instagram addiction was analysed across seven components: Lack of Control, Disengagement, Escapism, Health and Interpersonal Issues, Excessive Use, Obsession, and Total Scores. The findings revealed that 15.5% of respondents were prone to Instagram addiction, while 44.5% were considered average users. Significant positive correlations were found between various aspects of Instagram addiction and usage patterns during both weekdays and weekends. Additionally, male participants scored higher on the disengagement component compared to females in the study.