The Role of Academic Stress, Social Media Addiction, and Fear of Missing Out on Cyberloafing in Bangladeshi Private University Students

Cyberloafing, using digital devices for non-academic online activities during class, is increasing among university students and is thought to be influenced by psychological and behavioral factors. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the roles of academic stress, social media addiction, and fear of missing out in driving cyberloafing and to examine the potential mediating effect of social media addiction on the relationship between academic stress and cyberloafing. We found in the study that cyberloafing among university students is driven by academic stress, social media addiction, and FOMO. Social media addiction acts as a key pathway linking stress to off-task digital behavior. Interventions combining stress management with mindful social media practices may help reduce classroom distractions. It will offer practical guidance to educators and policymakers on promoting focused learning in digital environments.