Prevalence of Problematic Digital Media Use Among Young Adults: Protocol for a Systematic Review

TL;DR

This study will review how common excessive digital media use is among young adults and what factors contribute to it, aiming to inform interventions.

Contribution

This is the first comprehensive synthesis focusing specifically on digital media use among young adults.

Findings

The review will estimate the global prevalence of problematic digital media use among 18-24-year-olds.

It will identify regional variations and contributing factors to the issue.

Findings are expected to highlight the need for early intervention strategies.

Abstract

Problematic digital media use (PDMU) among young people has been on the rise. PDMU is defined as excessive use of digital media, the internet, or electronic communication leading to user dysfunction and harm to other individuals. Evidence links excessive use of media with various mental health disorders, behavioral problems, substance abuse, poor sleep hygiene, and social dysfunction. This maladaptive behavior is pervasive among young people, yet there is a paucity of studies that comprehensively examine the phenomenon in this specific population.

This systematic review seeks to examine the current global prevalence of PDMU among young adults aged 18 to 24 years, explore the extent of the issue across different regions of the world, and identify key factors contributing to its occurrence.

The proposed systematic review will use the Prevalence Estimates Reviews – Systematic Review Methodology Group (PERSyst) methodology for systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence. A 3-step search strategy will be used covering 2020 to 2025, with no language restrictions. Nine sources will be searched: Embase (Elsevier), PubMed, PsycInfo (EBSCO), Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate), Communication & Mass Media Complete (EBSCO), LILACS (VHL Search Portal), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and Google Scholar. Study selection will follow a 3-step process, including critical appraisal for methodological quality. Standardized data extraction tools will be used. Two reviewers will make decisions independently; conflicts will be resolved through consensus. Narrative synthesis will be conducted, and where possible, a meta-analysis will estimate PDMU prevalence with 95% CIs using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the chi-square and I2 statistics. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach will be used to assess the certainty of the evidence.

The protocol was completed in July 2025. The comprehensive search of electronic bibliographic databases began in September 2025, followed by deduplication, screening, and selection of eligible studies. Title and abstract screening were completed in January 2026, and full-text review is ongoing. Data extraction and synthesis will be conducted between March and April 2026. The manuscript will be prepared and completed by August 2026, with plans to submit the manuscript for publication in September 2026.

The planned review contributes to the growing body of evidence on digital media use among young adults by highlighting its potential impact on overall well-being. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive synthesis focused specifically on this population. The findings are expected to highlight the need for routine screening and early intervention strategies to address the social, mental, and physical health risks associated with digital media overuse in young adulthood.