Too Much of a Good Thing: Who We Follow, What We Do, And How Much Time We Spend on Social Media Affects Well-Being

Abstract

Introduction: Given previous experimental research on the benefits of limiting time spent on social media and correlational research linking active use to better well-being, we designed an experimental study to investigate the effects of limiting time and increasing active use on social media on well-being. Method: After completing a survey on who they followed on social media and undergoing a week of baseline monitoring, 88 undergraduates at a private university were randomly assigned to either limit Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat use to 30 minutes in total per day and increase their active use, just limit their use to 30 minutes per day, or continue to use social media as usual for three weeks. Results: The initial survey revealed that following more friends was negatively correlated with loneliness whereas following more strangers was positively correlated with depression. Highly depressed participants in the limited use group showed significant reductions in depression compared to the control group, but the active group did not show similar benefits. Highly active participants in the active group reported greater loneliness and anxiety and lower self-esteem at week 4 compared to less active participants in the active group, whereas the most passive participants in the control group showed the worst depression overall. Discussion: Our findings suggest that following friends rather than strangers and limiting time spent on social media may lead to significant improvements in well-being, and that moderately active engagement may be the most adaptive.

Reduction in Social Media Usage Produces Improvements in Physical Health and Wellbeing: An RCT

“…The current study aimed to explore previous findings examining the relationship between reducing social media use and wellbeing that have produced mixed results (cf. Allcott et al, 2020;Hunt et al, 2018Hunt et al, , 2021Kushlev & Leitao, 2020;Przybylski et al, 2021;van Wezel et al, 2021). The current study included a much greater range of health-related quality-of-life measures, and assessed immune functioning, to extend the range of findings.…”

“…Originally, 74 participants were approached, but 4 declined to take part. None of the remaining 70 participants dropped out during the study, but 17 failed to complete the questionnaires, with a further 3 were removed as they were not able to provide their phone screentime (given the attrition, 67% power was achieved, and participant numbers were in line with previous studies; Hunt et al, 2018Hunt et al, , 2021. Participants were not financially rewarded, nor did they receive course credit.…”

“…One feature that may explain the differences in these findings is the length of abstinence, with the longer-term studies (e.g., Hunt et al, 2018Hunt et al, , 2021 reporting greater improvements than studies using shortened timeframes (e.g., Przybylski et al, 2021;van Wezel et al, 2021). In fact, Hall et al (2019) found that reducing social media use can have multiple effects on wellbeing.…”

Interventions to reduce the negative impact of online highly visual social networking site use on mental health outcomes: A scoping review.

“…In total, 17 authors were contacted for data due to insufficient information provided in the reports to calculate effect sizes. Of those, eight provided the requested data (Gobin et al, 2022; Hall et al, 2021; Hinsch & Sheldon, 2013; Hunt et al, 2018, 2021; Mosquera et al, 2020; Turel et al, 2018; van Wezel et al, 2021), leaving ten studies where effect sizes could not be calculated. Those studies with insufficient data to enable the calculation of effect sizes were included in the narrative synthesis of findings.…”

Dropped Interest: Generation Z Students’ Demotivating Reasons on Gradual Dislike on Sports and Recreation

“…The participants' testimonies about their responses to the challenges and difficulties they've encountered in learning and performing with the impediments to participation in sports and recreation are lack of sufficient fitness and flexibility are summarized here as reasons. Grade 12 Students # 12 and # 20 says that: media may increase well-being significantly, and moderately active engagement may be the most adaptive (Hunt et al, 2021). But on the other side, limited use of gadgets and scrolling over social media can improve student's physical ability and skills and reduce behavior problems.…”