Research: Is Physical Activity Associated With Lower Risk of Social Network Problematic Use or Addiction?

The use of social networks has grown dramatically, with 62.3% of the world’s population reportedly engaging on these platforms for an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes each day. While social media can be a powerful tool for communication, education, and connection, it can also spread misinformation and contribute to unhealthy usage patterns. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined data across multiple international studies to explore how physical activity levels relate to problematic or addictive social media use.

The outcomes of this review report a consistent, negative association between physical activity and social network problematic use or addiction. The findings indicate that individuals who are more physically active are less likely to engage in addictive or harmful patterns of social media behaviour. However, the strength of this link varied, suggesting that exercise type, intensity, and demographic factors may moderate the effect.

For Australian universities, these findings highlight the importance of integrating active-lifestyle initiatives into university campus life. Encouraging physical activity could play a valuable role in reducing the negative impacts of excessive social media use, supporting better mental health and digital balance among students.

Citation: Rodríguez-Castaño, A., Fernández-Sánchez, J., Trujillo-Colmena, D., et al. Is physical activity associated with lower risk of social network problematic use or addiction? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 60, 2025. (link)