A recent New Yorker article titled “How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy” actually describes research findings indicative of greater unhappiness AND greater happiness among Facebook users, depending on what they did on the site. Several studies were summarized, including a recent study by a team of researchers led by Ethan Kross of the University of Michigan. Those researchers sent text messages to research participants five times a day for two weeks, asking about Facebook use and emotional status. The more the Facebook use at the time of one text, the worse these participants felt at the time of the next text. Greater Facebook use was associated with decreased well-being over the course of the two-week study. Another study found that looking at Facebook posts made by others was associated with increased envy, a phenomenon thought to be the result of social comparison. How can social comparison have this effect? Within the last 24 hours, friends on my Facebook feed have posted pictures from Hawaii, a college football game, a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game, and a street festival. Meanwhile, I’m sitting in my bedroom writing this post. Am I envious? No, actually, since I’m still getting over jet lag from a great trip to Washington and don’t want to be anywhere with more sizzle than where I am right now, but you get the idea.
Not all studies find that social media use puts us in the doldrums. Some studies have found such use to be associated with increased happiness, social trust, and engagement. Even the thought of sharing something via social media increases activity in the pleasure centers of the brain. Why have the findings about social media use and emotional states been so inconsistent?
One possible way of accounting for the different results comes from a 2010 study by Moira Burke of Carnegie Mellon University and colleagues. Among those who actively interacted on Facebook by posting themselves, commenting on others’ posts, or even liking those posts, loneliness was decreased and feelings of bonding were increased, particularly bonding with those who live in close proximity. On the other hand, passively consuming content posted by others was associated with more loneliness and decreased bonding. Thus, perhaps it is not the amount of Facebook use that matters, but whether the user is participating actively or only passively.
So, the following rules for increasing happiness (or at least minimizing misery) among those of us who use Facebook seem consistent with the research to date:
- Use sparingly.
- Have as friends those to whom you aren’t particularly likely to compare yourself (I manage to follow this rule, since I use Facebook largely to keep up with former students, my kids, and my nephews and nieces, all of whom are at very different stages of life than I am).
- Don’t just passively scan your feed. Comment, like, and post things yourself.
The last rule may make you happier, but, to the extent you are creating more content for your friends to passively scan, it might have an adverse effect on them. Ah, the ethical dilemmas of Facebook use!
I’ll conclude this post by sharing some great pictures from my trip to Washington. Research indicates it will give me great pleasure to do so. Beware, though: looking at them without liking or commenting on this post may be hazardous to your emotional well-being!
September 15, 2013 at 3:03 am
Bob,
This was very interesting. I pretty much just use Facebook to keep up with my family and see pics of my little grand nieces that my nephew posts. The other day, I was compelled to post because it was the anniversary of a friend’s son’s death and I felt the need to comfort her. But I get chastized if I’m not on there constantly, commenting on where I just pumped gas!! So I tend to steer clear except once a week or so.
It makes me happy to see my family, but irritated to be expected to constantly be on there….I just don’t have time as a caregiver. Did the studies you analyzed mention that it pisses some people off?? 🙂
September 15, 2013 at 10:55 am
The studies don’t mention the irritation factor on Facebook; that would be an interesting thing to look into! It does seem that more and more there is a norm of constant availability, be it on Facebook, responding to text messages, or whatever. Sorry to hear that your family is trying to get you to spend your life hooked up to electronic devices!
April 1, 2014 at 7:35 pm
I am also a caregiver to my Mother In-Law and am living away from home. I love Facebook, I can keep in touch with what going on with my Family and Friends. You can be on as long as you want or not be on, it’s your choice. No one get’s mad if I am not on. It helps me remember birthdays and more. I can have private talks or talks everyone can read. It’s all in the way you use it. Love it!
April 2, 2014 at 12:29 pm
I’m a caregiver, too, staying with my parents most of the time to help them. I wonder if anyone has looked into social media use among caregivers? It certainly is a good way to stay connected despite the barriers caregivers have regarding face-to-face contact with others.