Did you know that how much time you spend on social media can affect your wellbeing? Findings from the NUS Student Life and Wellness Survey 2025 show that higher daily social media use is linked with a greater risk of addictive patterns and poorer mental wellbeing.
Our findings:
- About 1 in 3 students (33%) spend 4 hours or more on social media each day.
- Spending 4 or more hours on social media* is correlated to a higher risk of social media addiction.
- Spending 4 or more hours on social media* is associated with 2.4 times higher odds of anxiety and low mood symptoms.
Keep it light, set it right! Let’s protect your time!
Healthy habits that help you stay in balance
✅ Set intentional limits – Use app timers or Focus/Downtime modes, and try keeping daily social media use under 4 hours (then adjust to a level that feels healthy for you).
🌙 Protect your sleep – Keep phones out of bed, switch off non-essential notifications at night, and aim for 30–60 minutes screen-free before sleep.
🧭 Be mindful, not mindless – Before opening an app, ask, “What am I here to do?” Close it once you’ve done that.
🧹 Curate your feed – Mute or unfollow accounts that trigger stress or unhealthy comparisons; follow those that uplift or inform.
🏃 Move and connect – Swap one scrolling session for a short walk, workout, or meet-up with a friend.
📚 Create no-phone zones – Try phone-free meals, lectures, and study blocks to preserve focus and quality time.
🧘 Build stress buffers – Short breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or journaling can reduce the urge to doomscroll.
🔕 Reduce friction – Turn off non-essential alerts and move social apps off your home screen to make them less tempting.
About the survey
The NUS Student Life and Wellness Survey aims to better understand student experiences, including co-curricular participation, physical activity, volunteerism, and mental wellbeing. The 2025 edition, conducted between 14 March and 11 April, received more than 5,000 responses—representing 10% of the AY2024/25 full-time student population across all NUS faculties, schools, and institutes.
Finding your balance
Social media isn’t “good” or “bad”—it’s a tool. The goal is intentional use that supports your mental health and leaves room for what matters most: rest, relationships, learning, movement, and meaning. What are some ways you keep your social media use in balance? 💭💙
This is the first of a three-part campaign series. For more information about the survey or care tips, contact studentwellness@nus.edu.sg