![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/socialmediaunhappy.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
You may have seen headlines that link social media to sadness and depression. Social media use goes up, happiness goes down. But recent studies suggest those findings might not be so straightforward.<\/p>\n
Although it is true that people\u2019s feelings of envy and depression are linked to high social media use, there is evidence to suggest social media use may not be\u00a0causing<\/em>\u00a0that relationship. Instead, your mindset may be the biggest thing affecting how social media connects to your wellbeing.<\/p>\n People who feel they are able to use social media, rather than social media \u201cusing them\u201d, tend to gain more benefits from their online interactions.<\/p>\n Social media covers a broad range of platforms: social networking, discussion forums, bookmarking and sharing content, disseminating news, exchanging media like photos and videos, and microblogging. These appeal to a wide range of users, from individuals of all ages through to massive businesses.<\/p>\n You may have seen headlines that link social media to sadness and depression. Social media use goes up, happiness goes down. But recent studies suggest those findings might not be so straightforward.<\/p>\n Although it is true that people\u2019s feelings of envy and depression are linked to high social media use, there is evidence to suggest social media use may not be\u00a0causing<\/em>\u00a0that relationship. Instead, your mindset may be the biggest thing affecting how social media connects to your wellbeing.<\/p>\n People who feel they are able to use social media, rather than social media \u201cusing them\u201d, tend to gain more benefits from their online interactions.<\/p>\n Social media covers a broad range of platforms: social networking, discussion forums, bookmarking and sharing content, disseminating news, exchanging media like photos and videos, and microblogging. These appeal to a wide range of users, from individuals of all ages through to massive businesses.<\/p>\n For some, social media is a way to connect with people we may not otherwise see. In the United States, 39% of people say they\u00a0are friends with people they only interact with online<\/a>.<\/p>\n For older people, this is especially important for increasing feelings of connectedness and wellbeing. Interestingly though, for older people,\u00a0social media contact with family does not increase happiness<\/a>. Meanwhile, younger adults report\u00a0increased<\/em>\u00a0happiness when they have more social media contact with family members.<\/p>\n Teens, in particular, find social media most useful for\u00a0deepening connections and building their social networks<\/a>.<\/p>\n With social media clearly playing such an important role in society, many researchers have tried to figure out: does it make us happier or not?<\/p>\n Studies have taken a variety of approaches, including asking people directly through surveys or looking at the content people post and seeing how positive or negative it is.<\/p>\n One survey study from 2023 showed that as individuals\u2019 social media use increased,\u00a0life satisfaction and happiness decreased<\/a>. Another found that\u00a0less time on social media<\/a>\u00a0was related to increases in work satisfaction, work engagement and positive mental health \u2013 so improved mental health and motivation at work.<\/p>\n Comparing yourself to others on social media is connected to feelings of envy and depression. However,\u00a0there is evidence<\/a>\u00a0to suggest depression is the predictor, rather than the outcome, of both social comparison and envy.<\/p>\n All this shows\u00a0the way you feel<\/em> about social media matters<\/a>. People who see themselves using social media rather than \u201cbeing used\u201d by it, tend to gain benefits from social media and not experience the harms.<\/p>\n Interviews with young people (15\u201324 years) using social media suggest that positive mental health among that age group was influenced by\u00a0three features<\/a>:<\/p>\n Being online can be positive and fun, providing opportunities for children and young people to learn and connect with others We can make that experience safer by talking openly with them about the risks. Get started: https:\/\/t.co\/KD4c3Aa4Tl<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xQaYelsQp1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 eSafety Commissioner (@eSafetyOffice) June 19, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhy do people use social media?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Why do people use social media?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Does social media make us happier?<\/h2>\n
\n