A study conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) has found no substantial evidence to support the belief that the global proliferation of Facebook is closely connected to a widespread deterioration in psychological well-being. The research focused on 72 countries, analyzing how well-being evolved as the usage of the social media platform expanded.
Contradicting the prevalent notion that social media leads to psychological distress, the study offers a counter perspective. The findings arrive at a time when numerous countries, including the UK, are contemplating legislation aimed at safeguarding social media users against online harms.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has faced criticism following whistleblower testimonies and media coverage based on leaks suggesting that the company’s internal research indicated adverse impacts on certain users.
The research specifically scrutinized Facebook and not Meta’s other platforms, such as Instagram. Professor Andrew Przybylski from OII explained that the study sought to answer whether a rise in social media usage in countries corresponded to changes in their population’s well-being. Contrary to common assumptions, the data analysis failed to demonstrate a significant correlation between social media saturation and well-being decline.
However, the study’s broad scope limited its insight into specific groups vulnerable to the impact of Facebook usage. It also did not delve into the potential risks associated with certain types of content, such as self-harm promotion.
Prof. Przybylski emphasized that researchers require better access to data from tech companies to comprehensively understand the effects of social media. This study underscores the need for more nuanced research and data transparency, particularly in the context of emerging online safety legislation.
While the study’s general critique of screen-time concerns lacking robust evidence is acknowledged, experts like Prof. Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics highlighted its limitations in contributing to ongoing regulatory debates. The study did not address the unique case of children, and its relevance to policies targeting younger users remains uncertain.
This peer-reviewed research, authored by Prof. Przybylski and Matti Vuorre, utilized data shared by Facebook, focusing on user growth from 2008 to 2019 across two age brackets. The study’s findings indicate that the expansion of social media adoption did not significantly affect psychological well-being.
The study has drawn attention to the importance of transparency and collaboration between technology companies and researchers, ultimately contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the impact of social media growth on mental health.
Check out the latest news in our Global News section
Stay updated on environmental data and insights by following KI Data on Twitter
