California Baptist University students spent much of their time looking at screens and completing paperwork for hours at a time. From homework to free time, media consumption often filled their days and competed for their attention.
Social media affected mental health in both positive and negative ways, sometimes contributing to stress, anxiety or depression. However, regular media consumption also offered educational and personal benefits.
Noelle Nguyen, freshman pre-nursing major, often spent her free time watching YouTube videos or listening to podcasts. She also read novels to improve her grammar and conducted research for her English class.
“And for academic journals, that’s just for my education, like just for school,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen said she once spent eight or nine hours on social media in a single day. Despite the temptation of doomscrolling, she aimed to stay productive by watching academic podcasts and reading educational journals for her science courses.
“Like for my anatomy [class], I just search up a random podcast to help me if I’m learning a new topic, then it will help me, like, gain insight on what it’s about before I start studying it,” Nguyen said.
Some students chose to consume media tied to their faith, particularly at a university where spirituality shaped campus culture.
Britney Orozco, junior elementary education major, watched online sermons from Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell of 2819 Church.
“It’s like very direct, and like, when I’m working out, I’m so locked in,” Orozco said.
Orozco also participated in hands-on media production, including photography. While she primarily used Instagram and TikTok, she said she especially enjoyed taking photos with her family.
“I used to do photography, and I like videos and aesthetic pictures,” Orozco said.
Media consumption offered benefits when it became a hobby or creative outlet. However, excessive use often produced negative effects.
Like many CBU students, individuals valued their leisure time, but how they used it influenced its impact.
Matt Slan, digital programming advertiser in Los Angeles, spent much of his free time reading ESPN, reading books or exercising with his swim team. He also limited the time he spent watching Netflix.
“I make a conscious effort to not be on my phone all that much, and I try to keep that screen time number on my phone to around three hours a day,” Slan said.
Slan balanced entertainment media with educational podcasts focused on American history, nonfiction and business.
“They’re all educational, and I listen to podcasts when I’m either driving or walking. I try to get 12,000 steps in a day,” Slan said.
As a media specialist involved in buying and selling web space, Slan said he appreciated daily access to media. He added that how much people consumed media determined whether it helped or harmed them.
According to National Library of Medicine, excessive media consumption can negatively affect mental health.
“In a study of young adults, it was found that negative comparisons with others on Facebook contributed to risk of rumination and subsequent increases in depression symptoms.”
Excessive doomscrolling and a lack of mental rest contributed to depression and other mental health conditions. While media offered relaxation, experts emphasized the importance of distinguishing rest from procrastination and encouraged balanced media use that allowed time for both enjoyment and learning.
