Introduction. Nowadays, the intensive use of social media has become a daily practice among adolescents, raising concerns about its possible impact on mental health and socio-emotional development. Emotional intelligence is recognized as a protective factor against risk behaviors and as a key component of well-being and school adjustment.
Purpose. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between emotional intelligence and social media addiction in a group of secondary school adolescents in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2025. The sample consisted of students from public secondary schools selected through convenience sampling. Two standardized instruments were administered: an emotional intelligence scale and a social media addiction scale. Data analysis was carried out using correlational techniques to identify the direction and magnitude of the relationship between both variables.
Results. The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and problematic social media use. In other words, adolescents with higher levels of emotional intelligence reported lower levels of social media addiction. This relationship was consistent across the different dimensions assessed, which reinforces the validity of the results.
Conclusions. The results highlight the importance of strengthening emotional intelligence in adolescents as a preventive strategy against excessive and problematic social media use. Furthermore, the findings suggest that socio-emotional education programs within the school context may serve as a fundamental resource to promote healthier and more balanced digital habits. It is recommended to continue with longitudinal studies that further explore the causal mechanisms of this relationship and include additional contextual variables, such as school climate and family support.