Social Media Addiction, Perceived Stress, Emotional Intelligence, and Cyberbullying Among Thai Adolescents During the Transition from the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Endemic Phase

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased adolescent digital engagement, but whether the rise in cyberbullying persists beyond the crisis is not well understood, especially in Southeast Asia. This study examined social media addiction, perceived stress, emotional intelligence, and cyberbullying among 416 Thai secondary students (grades 7–12) during the pandemic-to-endemic transition (June–October 2023). Participants completed validated Thai-language instruments assessing cyberbullying, social media addiction, perceived stress, and emotional intelligence. Results showed 66.4% of adolescents were involved in cyberbullying, with 32.2% as bully-victims. Social media addiction correlated with cyberbullying perpetration (r<inf>s</inf> = 0.33, p < 0.001) and victimization (r<inf>s</inf> = 0.22, p < 0.001), as did perceived stress (r<inf>s</inf> = 0.20 and 0.29; p < 0.001). Emotional intelligence showed negative correlations with cyberbullying perpetration (r<inf>s</inf> = −0.15, p = 0.002) and victimization (r<inf>s</inf> = −0.10, p = 0.048). Over one-third (34.4%) were at high risk for social media addiction. These findings indicate that during the pandemic-to-endemic transition, Thai adolescents showed elevated cyberbullying involvement, high social media addiction, and moderate-to-high stress—a profile consistent with sustained digital risk. These results highlight the need for integrated interventions that address digital wellness, stress management, and the development of emotional intelligence among Thai adolescents.