New research from Derrick Wirtz, an associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia's Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, reveals that how you use social media profoundly impacts your overall well-being. Wirtz examined usage patterns on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to uncover their effects on happiness.
“Social networking sites are woven into daily life for billions worldwide,” Wirtz explains. “Yet despite this ubiquity, research on their influence on happiness remains limited.”
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, social media reshaped human connections, often rivaling or exceeding face-to-face interactions. While in-person contact typically uplifts mood, many users experience negativity from social media for various reasons.
Social comparison stands out as a key issue. Study participants reported feeling less happy the more they compared themselves to others online.
“Curated posts highlighting others' highs can make users overlook shared struggles, leading them to view their own balanced lives as inadequate,” Wirtz notes.
Passive consumption—merely viewing posts without engagement—fuels comparison while missing the relational benefits of true interaction, eroding self-esteem and well-being. “Scrolling offers little personal connection but plenty of upward social comparison,” he adds.
In the study, participants detailed Facebook activities like news feed checks, messaging, news updates, and posting. Passive feed browsing dominated, correlating with declines in subjective well-being.
The pattern held across platforms: greater recent use of Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram linked to more negative emotions, as captured in 10-day random surveys.
Contrasting this, offline interactions—face-to-face or via phone—significantly enhanced emotional well-being.
Hope lies in intentional use, especially amid COVID-19 isolation. Wirtz advises skipping passive scrolling and comparisons, favoring direct interactions like synchronous online chats or safe in-person meetups.
“Prioritizing connection over consumption can minimize harms and even elevate happiness through social media,” he concludes. Ultimately, mindful usage shapes its impact on daily well-being.
