Using social media has now become a daily routine that cannot be stopped. The problem is that concerns are growing that excessive social media use can have a negative impact on mental health. Research shows that like everything else, social media use is up to you.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that young people’s mental health may depend on how they use social media, not how much they use it.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada conducted a six-week experiment to examine the effects of quitting social media versus using it more intentionally. Researchers divided 393 Canadian teenagers with mental health symptoms and concerns about the impact of social media on their mental health into three groups.
They were a ‘control’ group, who continued with their usual daily lives, an ‘abstinence’ group, who were asked to stop using social media altogether, and a ‘tutorial’ group, who received coaching on intentional use. The tutorial group was instructed to limit interactions that encourage self-comparison, encourage meaningful online connections, and carefully choose who to follow.
The study found that both the abstinence and tutorial groups reduced their social media use and experienced less social comparison. The tutorial group did not reduce their social media use as much as those who attempted total abstinence, but there was a noticeable improvement in feelings of loneliness and fear of missing out.
In comparison, the abstinence group was more successful in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but there was no improvement in loneliness. “Quitting social media may reduce some of the pressure people feel about presenting a clean image of themselves online,” the researchers said. However, they may feel isolated as they are deprived of social connections with friends and family.”
The researchers said, “The tutorial group was asked to actively communicate with friends by leaving comments or sending direct messages rather than passively scrolling. “These behaviors tend to foster meaningful relationships and help users feel more socially supported.”
“Social media will continue to exist,” said study author Dr. Amori Mikami. “And telling people to quit is not a realistic option,” he said. “With the right guidance, young people can have a more positive experience using social media by supporting their mental health rather than damaging it.”
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Source: kormedi.com
