The Digital Diet: A Quantitative Analysis of Screen Time, Social Media Usage, and Mental Health Indicators among Contemporary Digital Users
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29070/m5jkhc40Keywords:
Digital Technologies, Social Media, Mental Health, Screen Time, Digital Wellbeing, AnxietyAbstract
This study investigates the multifaceted relationship between digital technology consumption and psychological well-being through a quantitative analysis of 2,000 unique individuals. As digital integration becomes ubiquitous, understanding the specific behavioural patterns that lead to psychological distress versus resilience is critical. By analysing variables including daily screen time, social media usage, sleep quality, mindfulness minutes, and mental health scores (measured on a 20–80 scale), the research aims to identify key risk factors and protective behaviours in modern digital diets.
Findings reveal a complex, non-linear relationship between screen time and mental health. The average participant engages in 6.02 hours of daily screen time, with a mean mental health score of 49.65 and a stress level of 5.54 on a 1–10 scale. Moderate users (4–8 hours) represent the largest cohort and maintain relatively stable mental health, while high users (8–12 hours) do not consistently demonstrate higher anxiety levels. This suggests that the qualitative nature of digital engagement may outweigh quantitative exposure.
The study identifies sleep quality and duration as primary buffering variables against psychological stress. Additionally, mindfulness practices and physical activity significantly enhance mental health outcomes, even among high-frequency users. The findings suggest that digital hygiene and behavioural balance are more effective predictors of well-being than strict screen-time limitations. These insights provide a foundation for designing holistic digital wellness interventions.
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