The more you use Facebook, the more unhappy and lonely you go on to be. This is if the findings from a new research — by the Public Library of Science and conducted by the Laboratory for the Study of Emotion and Self-Control, School of Psychology, University of Michigan — are right. Researchers polled feedback from 82 adults, all of whom were less than 30 years old, who were eligible for a tablet from a raffle draw and a gratuity of $20 each.
Regardless of the number of friends one may have on the social media site or the motivation to use it, the study found users ended with a heightened sense of isolation and unhappiness. “In principle, Facebook seems to offer invaluable resources to satisfy the human need for social connection,” said Ethan Kross, professor of Michigan University. “Instead of increasing the sense of well-being, our research suggests that Facebook decreases the perception of user happiness.”
Another research, presented in February by Humboldt-Universität and TU Darmstadt and based on the views from nearly 600 Facebook users, had concluded that user participation in social networks can cause negative feelings and lower personal satisfaction. Facebook members were surveyed regarding their feelings after using the platform. More than a third reported predominantly negative feelings, such as frustration. Researchers identified envy of their “Facebook friends” as the major reason.
‘Envy spiral’
Professors Peter and Hanna Bauxmann Krasnova have created the image of an “envy spiral”, which is especially painful for “passive users“ who post less and experience Facebook as a platform of social achievement for others. “Users perceive Facebook as a stressful environment, which may in the long term, threaten the sustainability of the platform,” the researchers note.
Amidst the concerns over Facebook usage, the company itself is doing well. In the same week that the Michigan University research was released, the company announced that more than 40 per cent of Americans, or about 28 million users, were connected to Facebook. According to Business Insider, 2014 will be a big year for Facebook with the launch of autoplay video ads. It promises they will reach an audience bigger than prime-time TV.
All media has its pros and cons. Television can be addictive for children, lead to weight gains and trivialize violence.
Loneliness and envy are undesirable emotions. There will always be someone richer or more fortunate than us and we should accept the differences. We have the choice to turn off the TV or not be on Facebook. It cannot be any other way.
