Even the internal research data of Meta, the company causing Instagram and Facebook, agree.
However, over the past decade, social media has become an essential element in our daily life. It is difficult to imagine life without them.
The young adult population is particularly vulnerable: 80 % of young adults use social media daily and devote almost three hours a day to them. For many, scrolling through social media is the first thing they do upon waking up and the last before going to bed.
On the other hand, social media can also help people get in touch with their friends and family. This is particularly true for people whose identity is minorized or stigmatized: social media can help them join a community of other similar people, even if they are at a distance.
What should we do? Is the only solution to completely abandon social media? Or is it possible to learn to use social media more intelligently?
A new study of our laboratory, the [ Promoting Equitable, Affirming Relationships Lab]at the University of British Columbia, suggests that not only is possible, but also that the intentional use of social media can in fact improve well-being. The results of the study point out that social media can be a beneficial tool rather than a source of stress.
There are many digital self -control tools, such as locking mechanisms and timers, to help us reduce our consumption of social media, but we asked ourselves the following question: and if the simple fact of using social media differently Could maximize their positive aspects and minimize their negative aspects in our life?
Use social media to get the most out of it
As part of our six -week study, 393 young Canadian adults with certain mental health symptoms and worrying about the impact of social media on their lives were divided into three groups:
- A witness group that continued its usual routines.
- A group of abstinence to whom we asked to take a total break in social media.
- A group following an educational program supervised in intentional use.
The educational program has shown people how to avoid disadvantages – like feeling obliged to have a certain appearance or act in a certain way – and focus rather on good things.
To do this, we have focused on quality rather than quantity in interactions with social media. Participants created a healthier online online environment by mute or deleting the accounts that aroused envy or negative comparisons with themselves, and favoring close friendships.
Rather than passively scrolling, they were encouraged to act actively with their friends by commenting or sending direct messages – behavior that tends to deepen significant ties while helping users feel more socially supported.
We also asked all participants to follow their screen time and tell us about their well-being.
The study revealed that participants who paused in social media or who participated in an educational program on the intentional use of social media saw their mental health improve.
Feel less alone
Our results are promising. Those who took a break felt fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, while those who participated in the educational program felt less alone and were less afraid of missing something.
Our educational program has also had an involuntary impact on social media habits. Although the participants in this program have not reduced their use of social media as much as those of the abstinence group, they still reduced their screen time compared to the control group.
We believe that when they started using social media more intentional, they deleted the type of use that made them feel bad, but have increased or maintained the type of use that made them feel good.
Stopping social comparisons
The two groups – those who paused and those who followed the educational program – have shown a decrease in the tendency to compare themselves to others online. This is a big step forward since social comparison is often presented as the root of all evils arising from the use of social media.
Overall, the two approaches have reduced unhealthy social media habits and improving well-being. Using social media intentional and connected could be just as beneficial, and potentially more sustainable for some, than to stop completely.
Our results suggest that with good advice, young adults can have a more positive experience, using social media to support their mental health instead of harming it.
Search authentic links
At equitable promoting, asserting, Lab relations, we are studying the way young people are making support and sustainable relationships, whether online or in person.
Part of our work is to discover and understand how social media can be exploited to help people find themselves a community. Conversely, we seek to avoid the potential drawbacks of the online sphere.
If our study proposes some solutions, the big question remains: how can we continue to promote support and authenticity relationships in an increasingly digital world?
Social media is there for good and we must find the healthiest means to live with them.
Thanks to our research, we hope to start a conversation on how we can make social media an authentic connection tool, rather than a source of stress, for a healthier online experience.
