1125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you The evidence and the unknowns - BBC Future ome | News | Sport| Real | Workte | Travel | Future | cuore ¥ Is social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns By Jessi Brown Jansary 2008 ‘What the science suggests so far about the impact of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram on your mental wel-being. Article continues below Menu hitpshwwucbbe,comiutsre/artle/20180104-ie-socal-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-ancl knowns ano1125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns - BBC Future Aspecial series about social media and well- being ns month, BBC Future's explaring social medias impact on mental health and well-being ~and seeking solutions {for happier neathie experience on these platforms Stay tuned for more stories, coming s00n. Snare your tps fora happy fe on social media withthe hashtag #LikeMinded on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, LikeMinded This storys featured in BBC Future's “Best of 2018" collection. Discover more of our picks. ‘Three billion people, arcund 40% of the worle's population, use online social media ~and we're spending an average of two hours every day sharing king, tweeting and updating on these platforms, according to some reports. Tat breaks down to around half amillion, ‘tweets and Snapchat photos shared every minute. ‘With social media playing sucha big part in our lives, could we be sacrificing our mental health and well-being as well as our time? What does the evidence actually suggest? + Facebook responds to mental well-being claims + Ieittimeto rethink how we use social media? An introduction to our HLikeMinded Since social media i relatively new tous, conclusive findings are limited. The researc does exist mainly rlies on self-reporting, which can often be flawed, and the majority of studies focus on Face200k. That saic, this isa fast-growing area of research, and clues are beginning ta emerge. BBC Future reviewed the findings of some of the science so far: sTRESS People use social media to vent about everything from customer service to politics, but the downside to ths is that our feeds often resemble an endless stream of stress. In 20'S, researchers at the Pew Research Center basee in Washington DC sought to find out social rmecia induces more stress than it relieves, In the survey of 1,800 people, women reported being more stressed than men. Twitter was ‘found to bea “significant contributor” because it increased their awareness of other people's stress But Twitter also acted asa coping mechanism —and the more women usedit, the less stressed they were. The same effect wasn't found for men, vitor the researchers said had a Menu hitpshwwucbbe,comiutsre/artile/20180 104i¢-soclal-medka-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-he-nknowns 201125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for your The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future ‘more distant relationship with social media. Overall, the researchers concluded that soca macia use was linked to "modestly ower levels" of stress. The presence of a phone offects the quality of conversation, some studies suggest (Credit: Getty Images) Moop 1.2014, researchers in Austria found that participants reported lower moods after using Facebook for 20 minutes compared to those who just browsed the internet. The study suggested that people felt that way because they saw itas a waste of time. ‘A good or bad mood may also spread between people on social mecia, according toresearchers from the University of California, who assessed the emotional content of cover billion status updates from more than 100 milion Facebook users between 2009 and 2orz Bad weather increased the number of negative posts by 1%, and the researchers found that ‘one negative post by someone ina rainy city influenced another 1.3 negative posts by friends living in dry ites. The better news is that happy posts hada stronger influence; each one inspired 1.75 more happy posts. Whether a happy post translates to a genuine boost in mood, however, remains unclear. ANXIETY Researchers have looked at general anxiety provoked by social media, characterised by feelings of restlessness ané worry, and trouble sleeping and concentrating, A study published in the journal Computers and Human Behaviour found that people who report using seven or more social mecia platforms were more than three times as likely as people using 0-2 platforms to have high levels of general anxiety symptoms, ‘That sai, it's unclear if and how social media causes anxiety. Researchers from Babes- Bolyal Unversity in Romania reviewed existing research on the relationship between social anxiety and social networking in 2016, and said the results were mixed, They concluded that more esearch needs to be done hitpshwwucbbe,comifutsre/artle/20180 104i¢-soclal-medke-bad-foryou-the-evdence-and-the-nknowne 301125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future Socal media mimics many of the rewards of games and play, which can pose an attractive lure (Credit: Getty images) DEPRESSION While some studies have found a link between depression and social media use, there is emerging research into how social media can actualy be a force far good “Two studies involving more than 700 students found that depressive symptoms, such as Low ‘mood and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, were linked tothe qualily of online interactions, Researchers found higher levels of depressive symptoms among those who reported having more negative interactions A simitar study conducted in 2016 involving 1,700 people found a threefold risk of depression and anxiety among people who used the mast socal media platforms, Reasons for this, they suggested, include cyber-bullying, having a distorted view of other people's lives, and feeling ike time spent on social medias a waste, However, as B8C Future ill explore this month in our fLikeMinded season, scientists are also looking at how socal media can be used to ciagnose depression, which could help people receive treatment earlier. Researchers for Microsoft surveyed 476 people and analysed their Twitter profiles for depressive language, linguistic style, engagement and ‘emotion. From this, they developed a classifier that can accurately predict depression before it causes symptoms in seven out of 10 cases, Researchers from Harvard and Vermont Universities analysed 166 people's Instagram Photos to create a similar tool last year with the same success rate, SLEEP Humans used to spend their evenings in darkness, but now we're surrounded by artifical lighting all éay and night, Research has found that this can inhibit the body's production of ‘the hormone melatonin, which facilitates sleep - and blu light, which is emitted by smartphone and laptop screens is sad tobe the worst culprit. In other words, fyou te on ‘he pillow at right checking Facebook and Twitter, you're headed fr restless slumber Last year, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh asked 1,700 16- to 30-year-olds bout their social media and sleeping habits. They found alink with sleep disturbances ~ and concluded blue ight haga part to play, How often they logged on, rather than time spent on social media sites, was a higher predictor of cisturbed sleep, suggesting “an obsessive checking” the researchers said “The researchers say this could be caused by physiological arousal before sleep, and the bright lights of our devices can delay circadian rhythms. But they couldn't clarify whether Menu hitpshwwucbbe,comiuture/artle/20180104-ie-socal-media-bad for you-the-evdence-and- a01125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future One ofthe wor ‘media may be just before bed (Credit Ge ADDICTION Despite the argument from a few researchers that tweeting may be harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol, social media addiction isnt included in the latest diagnostic manual for mental health disorders ‘That said, socal medias changing faster than scientists can keep up with, so various groups are trying to study compulsive behaviours related tits use—for example, scientists from the Netherlands have invented their own scale to identity pssibie addiction. And if social media addiction does exis, it would be a type of internet addiction ~ and that is a classified disorder. 2011, Daria Kuss and Mark Grifiths from Nottingham Trent Univesity in the UK have analysed 43 previous studies on the matter, and conclude that social media addictions a mental health problem that "may" require professional treatment. They found that excessive usage was linked to relationship problems, worse academic achievement and less participation in offline communities, and found that those who could be mare vulne diction include those dependent on alcohol, the highly extroverted, and those who use social media to compens ties in real ie le toa social mecia for fewer SELF-ESTEEM Women's magazines and their use of underweight and Photoshopped models have been long maligned for stirring self-esteem issues among young women. But now, social mi with ts filters and lighting and clever angles, staking over as a primary concern among some campaigning groups and charities. Social media sites make more than half of users fel inadequate, according to a survey of 1,500 people by disability charity Scope, and half of 18- to 34-year-olds say it makes ther ‘feel unattractive, ‘A 2016 study by researchers at Penn State University suggested that viewing other people's selfs lowered self-esteem, because users compare themselves to photos of people looking ‘heir happiest. Research from the University of Strathclyde, Ohio University and University of lowa also found that women compare themselves negatively to sefies of other women Menu = tps bbe. com 501125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future ies may have downsides forthe viewer (Credit: Getty Images) Butit's not just selfies that have the potential to dent self-esteem. A study of 1,000 Swedish Facebook users found that women who spent more time on Facebook reported fecling Less happy and confident. The researchers concluded: "When Facebook users compare theit own lives with others’ seemingly more successful careers and happy relationships, they may fel that their own lives are less successful in compar'son” But one small study hinted that viewing your own profile, not others, might offer ego boosts. Researchers at Cornell University in New Vork put 63 students into different groups. Some sat witha mirror placed against a computer screen, for instance, while others satin front oftheir own Facebook profile. Facebook had a positive effect on self-esteem compared to other activites that boost set awareness. Mirors and photos, the researchers explained, make us compare ourselves to social standards, whereas looking at our own Facebook profiles might boost self-esteem because itis easier to control hw we're presented to the world WELL-BEING Ina study from 2013, researchers texted 79 participants five times aday for 14 days, asking them how they felt and how much they'd used Facebook since the last text. The more time people spent an the site, the worse they felt Later on, and the more their ie satisfaction declined overtime. But other research has founé, that for some people, social media can help boast their well- being. Marketing researchers Jonah Berger and Eva Buechel found that people who are emotionally unstable are more likely to post about their emotions, which can help ther receive support and bounce back after negative experiences. Overall, social mess effects on well-being are ambiguous, according toa paper ‘written last yearby researchers from the Netherlands, However, they suggested there is clearer evidence forthe impact on one group of people: social media has a more negative effect on the well-being of those who are more socialy isolated Menu = tps www bbe.comifuture/artcte/20180 104is-soclalmodia-badfor-youshe-ovidence-and- eo1125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future In some cases, social media may enhance well-being (Crelt: Getty Images) RELATIONSHIPS Iyou've ever been talking toa friend who's pulled their phone out to serol through Instagram, you might have wanderee what social mecia is doing to relationships. Even the mere presence of a phone can interfere with our interactions, particularly when ‘we're talking about something meaningful, according to one small ‘study. Researchers writing in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships tasked 34 pais of strangers with having a 10-minute conversation about an interesting event that had happened to them recently. Each pair satin private booths, and half had a mobile phone on the top of thelr table, ‘Those with a phone in eyeshot were less postive when recalling their interaction afterwards, had less meaningful conversations and reported feeling less clase to their partner than the others, who had a notebook on top ofthe table instead. Romantic relationships aren't immune, either. Researchers atthe University of Guelph in Canada surveyed 300 people aged 17-24 in 2008 about any jealousy they felt when on Facebook, asking questions such as, 'How likely are you to become jealous after your partner has added an unknown member of the opposite sex? ‘Women spent much more time on Facebook then men, and experianced significantly more jealousy when doing so. The researchers concluded they felt the Facebook environment created these feelings and enhanced concerns about the quality of thelr relationship’ Menu = hitpshwwucbbe,comiutsre/artile/20180 104i¢-soclal-medka-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-he-nknowns 701125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns - BBC Future Inne survey of 1,800 people, women reported being mare stressed by social medio than men (Creat: Getty Images) ENVY Ina study involving 600 adults, roughly a thre said social media made them feel negative ‘emotions ~ mainly frustration - and envy was the main cause. This was triggered by comparing their ves to others, and the biggest culprit was other people's travel photos. Feeling envious caused an “envy spiral’, where people react to envy by adding to thelr profiles more of the same sort of content hat made them jealous inthe frst place. However, envy isn’t necessarily a destructive emotion ~itcan often make us work harder according to researchers from Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, They asked 380 students to look at “enwy-eliciting” photos anc texts from, Facebook and Twitter, including posts about buying expensive goods, travelling and getting engaged. But the type of envy the researchers found is “benign envy’ which they say is ‘more tikely to make a person work harder. LONELINESS {A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine last year surveyed 7,000, 19-to 32-year-olds and found that those who spend the most time on social mecia were ‘twice as likely to report experiencing social isolation, which can include alack of asense of social belonging, engagement with others and fulfiling relationships, Spending more time on social media, the researchers said, could displace face-to-face interaction, and can also make people feel excludes xposure to such highly idealised representations of peers lives may elicit feelings of envy and the distorted belie that others lead happier and mare successful ves, which may increase perceived socal isolation” CONCLUSIONS? les clear thatin many areas, not enough is known yet to draw many strong conclusions However, the evidence does point one way: social media affects people differently, depending on pre-existing conditions and personality traits As with food, gambling and many other temptations of the modern age, excessive use for some indiviéualsis probably inadvisable. But at the same time, it would be wrong to say Social media isa universally bad thing, Because leary it brings myriad benefits to our lives. ‘Well be exploring this tension more over the next month, ina series of articles and videos in cur special series #LikeMinced and hopefully providing solutions that could help us all ive a happier healthier digital life Jin 800,000+ Future fons by king us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter Ifyou tked this story sign up forthe weekly bbe.com features newsletter, clled “if You Only Read 6 Things Ths Week" A handpicked selection of stores from BBC Future, Culture, Capital, and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. By f in < share Menu hitpshwwucbbe,comifutsre/artcle/20180 104i¢-soclal-medka-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-he-anknowns ano1125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for you? The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future By f in (image credit: Getty images) Does life online make depression worse or can it help? Alex Riley deseribes his personal experience Arle continues blow ‘ast November, as winter continued to farce more warmth and light aut of the World outside, | too felt gripped by an inner darkness. | was struggling with a particularly severe bout of depression, my worstin over a year I needed help. f into suicical actions jt any worse, the suicidal thoughts in my head might turn One of the psychiatrists had seen earlier that month suggested that | call the Samaritans Menu hitpshwwucbbe,comiutsre/artle/20180104-ie-socal-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-ancl eno1125122, 528 PM 's social media bad for your The evidence and the unknowns BBC Future hunched into the fetal position, absent of any feeling or hope, wishing that they no longer Continue reading LOADING Explore the BBC hitpshwwucbbe,comiutsre/artile/20180 104i¢-soclal-medka-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-he-nknowns s010