New research from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford has revealed that social media usage may have a positive effect on the mental well-being of adults.
The study, which tracked over 1,000 participants for six months, challenges previous assumptions about the negative effects of social platforms by finding a small, but positive correlation between time spent on these platforms and both subjective and psychological well-being.
The longitudinal study, involving 1,029 adults, measured participants’ social media usage via their mobile devices while assessing their well-being every two weeks. The results suggest that interactions on social media with friends and family contribute to improved mental well-being, although no significant effects were found on physical health or financial security.
The findings offer a fresh perspective on the debate surrounding the impact of social media, particularly given prior research that often pointed to its harmful effects. This study distinguishes itself by employing a more robust methodology, moving away from small or biased samples and self-reported data.
Social Media and Well-Being: New Insights
Unlike earlier studies that relied on adolescent samples or self-reported data, the Oxford Saïd research utilised a larger adult population and tracked their actual social media usage without direct involvement from participants. This methodology allowed researchers to avoid common biases such as underreporting or demand effects, where participants might try to align their responses with negative media narratives around social media use.
The study examined the relationship between social media usage and key components of well-being, including subjective well-being and psychological health. By observing participants over time, the researchers were able to identify patterns in how changes in social media engagement correlated with fluctuations in well-being. While the study did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlighted how increased usage of social platforms, particularly those that promote meaningful interactions with friends and family, was associated with a small increase in mental well-being.
Andrew Stephen, Deputy Dean for Faculty and Research at Oxford Saïd, commented on the findings: “Social media is used by billions of people daily for all kinds of purposes, from entertainment to commerce to keeping in touch with friends and family. In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate around whether using social media is healthy, which this research contributes to.”
Meaningful Connections on Social Platforms
One of the study’s key insights is the distinction between different types of social media use. It emphasised that platforms fostering interactions with close connections, such as friends and family, have a more positive effect on well-being than those focused on more superficial or passive consumption of content.
Stephen highlighted this, noting that “how people use these powerful and ubiquitous communication platforms matters.” The study indicates that using social media for meaningful communication can have a positive impact on mental health. However, not all forms of social media engagement produce the same results, and the positive effects are primarily linked to intimate or close-tie interactions.
These findings run contrary to much of the existing research, which has often concluded that social media platforms negatively affect users’ well-being. However, the Oxford Saïd study aligns with longstanding research on real-world social relationships, which consistently shows that strong social bonds and connections enhance well-being.
Challenges to Previous Research
The research conducted by Oxford Saïd challenges much of the previous discourse on social media’s impact. Earlier studies, often focusing on adolescents, frequently highlighted the negative psychological effects of excessive social media use, from anxiety to feelings of inadequacy. The new study counters this by showing that for adults, time spent on platforms in communication with friends and family can have a beneficial effect.
While the study did not find a relationship between social media usage and physical health or financial security, it does suggest that specific types of online interaction can enhance mental health. This could encourage businesses and social platforms to consider the nature of the connections they facilitate, as platforms that promote meaningful engagement may contribute positively to users’ mental well-being.
The researchers also identified a gap in the understanding of how different platforms affect well-being. Classifying platforms by their usage type and characteristics may provide further insights into which social media environments foster better mental health outcomes.
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