It has always been said that the excessive use of social networks is harmful to health. A bit like smoking, even more so if they turn into an addictive substance. But to what extent does this happen? A recent study published in early February on Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science would demonstrate with data and numbers that the use of social networkswhere massive, it would worsen our health and immunity. Let's see the details of the research.
Are social networks harmful to health? A study would prove yes. Here's how we can improve our lives by limiting their use.
The test conducted aimed to examine the effect of a reduction in the use of social media (SNS) on the mental health and well-being of the participants. Participants were asked to submit screenshots of their SNS usage time for the past week and were assigned to one of three groups: “None modification","Reduction” (reducing SNS use by 15 minutes per day) or “Reduction + organisers' activities” (reducing SNS use by 15 minutes per day and participating in another leisure activity). Those assigned to the group "No changes"continued to use social media as usual while assigned to groups"Reduction"and "Reduction + activity” were asked to reduce their social media use by 15 minutes a day. In the group "Reduction + activityParticipants were also suggested to participate in another leisure activity during the shortest 15 minutes of social media use. Participants completed mental health and well-being questionnaires at the beginning, middle, and end of the study.
The study aimed to investigate the relationship between reduced social media use and well-being by examining a broader range of health-related quality of life measures, including immune functioning. The study also tested the effectiveness of a “leisure replacement” manipulation, which involved replacing social media use with less favored activities. The results showed that the reducing social media activity by 15 minutes per day over a three-month period led to less social media addiction, to improved general health and immune functioning, and to a reduction of feelings of loneliness and depression.
These results replicated those of previous studies using prolonged periods of reduced social media activity. However, the manipulation of the leisure replacement had no effect and actually increased social media usage.
