Social media is a powerful vortex that can leave you more lonely and depressed than connected and you’re not alone.
A negative relationship between you and social media can exist but thanks to a study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, they found that limiting your exposure can benefit you mental health significantly.
In the study, researchers recruited 143 college students between the ages of 18 and 22 for two trials — one completed in the spring term and the other completed in the fall. All participants were required to have an iPhone and accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. The researchers first monitored the students for a week to get a snapshot of their typical social media use. They also gave them questionnaires to assess their well-being relating to social support, a fear of missing out (FOMO), loneliness, autonomy and self-acceptance, anxiety, depression and self-esteem.
Then, for the next three weeks of both trials, the participants were separated into two groups. The first group continued their typical use of Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat while the second group spent only 10 minutes on each platform each day (a maximum of 30 minutes).
At the end of the trials when evaluations were recorded, it was clear that less time spent on social media led to better mental health.
So, sometimes disconnecting for a brief moment is good.
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