Abstract
A large proportion of individuals report feeling addicted to social media, but research into the physical implications of social media use is limited. This study examined 81 participants (aged 18–64), and explored their social media use (Bergan Social Media Addiction Scale), immune function (Immune Function Questionnaire), physical health (Physical Health Questionnaire), diet (Diet and Behavioural Scale), activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form), sleep (Brief Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and depression and anxiety levels (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Higher levels of social media addiction were related to worse immune function, and worse physical health, but sleep quality mediated the relationship in both cases. These results suggest that disrupted sleep as a result of social media addiction could be responsible for reduced immune function and worse physical health, and chronic inflammation could explain the poor sleep and reduced immunity and physical health relationship.