Impact of social media platforms excessive use on students performance in higher education institutions: A mathematical model approach

Komi Afassinou, Narcisse Roland Loufouma Makala, Ousmane Koutou, Richard O Ocaya and Maba Boniface Matadi

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: This article develops a compartmental mathematical model to investigate the impact of excessive social media use on the academic performance of higher education students. Students who are heavily subscribed are classified ‘infected or addicted’ individuals. Their influence on the other naive non-subscribers leading them to become one and by self-curiosity are defined as direct and indirect transmission routes, respectively. The model incorporates two primary control interventions: early awareness programs and continuous regulation of accessibility. Qualitative and numerical analyses of the model dynamics are thus carried out investigating the effectiveness and the benefits of these control measures. The results suggest that a combined strategy, implementing both control interventions at optimal efficacy levels, significantly reduces the ‘addiction’ rate, thereby fostering a healthier academic environment and promising a prospective academic performance from the students.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0359301

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0359301

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