Problematic social media use among adolescents: Prevalence, and gender and grade level differences

The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of problematic social media use (PSMU) among adolescents, considering differences by gender and grade level. A total of 1164 students with an age range of 12 to 18 years ( M  = 14.56; SD  = 1.4), were surveyed using a validated questionnaire to assess PSMU, which measures aspects such as usage frequency, emotional dependence, and associated negative consequences. The results show significant differences in terms of gender and grade level. This behavior is significantly more prevalent among females, who reported more frequent and excessive device use compared to males. Significant differences were also found according to grade level, with a higher prevalence of PSMU observed in the middle stages of adolescence (3rd year of Secondary Education), suggesting that this stage may be particularly vulnerable to the development of addictive behaviors related to mobile phone use. These findings highlight the need to design specific interventions and educational programs that address the underlying causes of PSMU, promoting self-control and responsible mobile use among adolescents. Finally, the practical implications of these results are discussed for families, educators, and health professionals, and directions for future research are proposed, including the exploration of cultural and psychological factors that may influence the development of PSMU.