Next Article in Journal
Linking Cooperative Learning to Prosocial and Antisocial Behaviors in Adolescents: The Role of Affective Experiences
Previous Article in Journal
School Mental Health Interventions for Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Effectiveness and Relevant Moderators
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Adolescents
Volume 6
Issue 1
10.3390/adolescents6010007
adolescents-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Social Phobia Among Saudi Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

by
Omar Al kuraydis
1,
Awadh Mushabbab Alqahtani
2,
Mohammad Alqahtani
2,
Ali Saad Alshahrani
1,
Abdulaziz Saad Ali
2,
Muidh Alqarni
1,
Muhannad Alqahtani
2,
Rawan Alqahtani
3,
Abdulaziz Alqahtani
3,
Mashari Mohammed
1,
Ashwag Asiri
4 and
Faris Alzahrani
1,*
1
Department of Preventive Medicine, Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region, Khamis Mushait 61961, Saudi Arabia
2
Ministry of Health, Khamis Mushait 11176, Saudi Arabia
3
College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
4
Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Adolescents 2026, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents6010007
Submission received: 3 November 2025 / Revised: 29 December 2025 / Accepted: 30 December 2025 / Published: 9 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Adolescent Health and Mental Health)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Social media addiction (SMA) and social phobia (SP) are significant adolescent mental health concerns. In Saudi Arabia, despite high social media penetration, the association between these two constructs remains under-researched, particularly in the Aseer region. This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to March 2025, recruited 384 Saudi adolescents aged 11–19 from schools in the Aseer region using multistage cluster sampling. Participants completed validated self-report measures, including the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Al-Menayes Social Media Addiction Scale. A refined “Core SMA” subscale was created based on expert consensus criteria to enhance measurement precision. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe social phobia was 15.6%. A significant, moderate positive correlation emerged between SP and SMA (Spearman’s ρ = 0.294, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, and family income, adolescents with moderate social phobia had 2.15 times the odds of probable SMA compared to those with no SP (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.15–4.04, p < 0.05), and this effect was more pronounced for those with severe social phobia (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.04–6.30, p < 0.05). This study demonstrates a clear relationship between social phobia severity and social media addiction among Saudi adolescents in the Aseer region. These findings support the urgent need for integrated mental health and digital literacy interventions that proactively screen for both conditions.
Keywords: social media addiction; social phobia; social anxiety; adolescents; Saudi Arabia; mental health; cross-sectional study; Aseer region social media addiction; social phobia; social anxiety; adolescents; Saudi Arabia; mental health; cross-sectional study; Aseer region

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Al kuraydis, O.; Alqahtani, A.M.; Alqahtani, M.; Alshahrani, A.S.; Ali, A.S.; Alqarni, M.; Alqahtani, M.; Alqahtani, R.; Alqahtani, A.; Mohammed, M.; et al. The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Social Phobia Among Saudi Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adolescents 2026, 6, 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents6010007

AMA Style

Al kuraydis O, Alqahtani AM, Alqahtani M, Alshahrani AS, Ali AS, Alqarni M, Alqahtani M, Alqahtani R, Alqahtani A, Mohammed M, et al. The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Social Phobia Among Saudi Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adolescents. 2026; 6(1):7. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents6010007

Chicago/Turabian Style

Al kuraydis, Omar, Awadh Mushabbab Alqahtani, Mohammad Alqahtani, Ali Saad Alshahrani, Abdulaziz Saad Ali, Muidh Alqarni, Muhannad Alqahtani, Rawan Alqahtani, Abdulaziz Alqahtani, Mashari Mohammed, and et al. 2026. "The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Social Phobia Among Saudi Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study" Adolescents 6, no. 1: 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents6010007

APA Style

Al kuraydis, O., Alqahtani, A. M., Alqahtani, M., Alshahrani, A. S., Ali, A. S., Alqarni, M., Alqahtani, M., Alqahtani, R., Alqahtani, A., Mohammed, M., Asiri, A., & Alzahrani, F. (2026). The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Social Phobia Among Saudi Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adolescents, 6(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents6010007

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop