| Subject: | Communication Studies \ Education |
| Title: | Beyond the Feed: Instagram Usage Patterns and Academic Engagement among Students in Kozhikode, Kerala |
| Author(s): | Arathi Aneesh I. K, Dillyasree D P & Anamika M |
| Published on: | 30th October 2026 |
| Published by: | Lyceum India |
| Name of the Journal: | Lyceum India Journal of Social Sciences |
| ISSN/e-ISSN: | 3048-6513 |
| Volume & Issue: | Volume: 3, Issue: 12 |
| Pages: | 49-59 |
| Original DOI (if any): | 10.5281/zenodo.23758226 |
| Repository DOI: | |
| Abstract: | Instagram is now part of daily students’ lives. This study examines how students in Kozhikode use the Instagram platform and how that use relates to their academic engagement. It draws on an online survey of 318 respondents aged 16 to 26. Most were undergraduate and postgraduate students. Instagram penetration was very high 95.3% of respondents used it. Two-thirds of users (66.3%) spent two or more hours a day on it, and nearly half spent more than half that time watching Reels. Entertainment was the main reason for use, followed by communication. Study habits showed heavy overlap with Instagram. About two-thirds used it while studying at least sometimes. About 73% checked it during study breaks. Nearly half used it often or always within 30 minutes of sleep. Self-reported academic effects were mixed. About 44% felt Instagram reduced their academic time. About 35% said it was hard to return to studying after long sessions. About 34% felt it harmed concentration. A third to a half of respondents stayed neutral on these items. The study concludes that Instagram cannot be characterised as unambiguously detrimental. It is a pervasive, entertainment-led habit that competes with study for time and attention. |
| Keywords: | Instagram Usage, Academic Engagement, College Students, social media, Study Habits, Kozhikode. |
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