Social media comes with a lot of benefits, but suffice it to say that it also brings its fair share of disadvantages to the table with all things having been considered and taken into account. Studies have shown that excessive use of social media can lead to more feelings of anxiety and depression than might have been the case otherwise, prompting some to take part in digital detoxes.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that these digital detoxes might not actually give you the type of happiness boost that you are on the lookout for. In a study conducted at Durham University, it was revealed that there wasn’t much of a connection between taking time away from social media and overall feelings of wellbeing.
It bears mentioning that the participants of this study did indeed feel some negative emotions less frequently over the course of the project. FOMO is a major concern because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making you feel like you’re constantly missing out on something or the other. Cutting down on social media can reduce that, as well as lower the likelihood of cyber bullying and other anxiety inducing encounters.
In spite of the fact that this is the case, positive experiences also decreased as well. Participants often reported feeling bored and listless, likely because they weren’t as involved in their social groups as they previously were. On top of all of that, the brain chemistry related rewards they received from likes and comments simply couldn’t be replaced in the real world.
The type of impact that social media can have on human psyche is still the subject of debate among academics and experts. Researchers are trying to get to the bottom of this conundrum, but the truth might not be as cut and dry as some would believe. Social media may very well provide a source of happiness for some, and more research will be required before anything can be conclusively proven either way.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Rival IQ Report: Low Brand Engagement Across Social Media Platforms
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that these digital detoxes might not actually give you the type of happiness boost that you are on the lookout for. In a study conducted at Durham University, it was revealed that there wasn’t much of a connection between taking time away from social media and overall feelings of wellbeing.
It bears mentioning that the participants of this study did indeed feel some negative emotions less frequently over the course of the project. FOMO is a major concern because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making you feel like you’re constantly missing out on something or the other. Cutting down on social media can reduce that, as well as lower the likelihood of cyber bullying and other anxiety inducing encounters.
In spite of the fact that this is the case, positive experiences also decreased as well. Participants often reported feeling bored and listless, likely because they weren’t as involved in their social groups as they previously were. On top of all of that, the brain chemistry related rewards they received from likes and comments simply couldn’t be replaced in the real world.
The type of impact that social media can have on human psyche is still the subject of debate among academics and experts. Researchers are trying to get to the bottom of this conundrum, but the truth might not be as cut and dry as some would believe. Social media may very well provide a source of happiness for some, and more research will be required before anything can be conclusively proven either way.
Read next: Rival IQ Report: Low Brand Engagement Across Social Media Platforms
