Worldwide Study Finds No Psychological Harm Linked to Facebook Usage
The largest independent scientific study conducted by the Oxford Institute of the Internet has concluded that the global spread of the social network Facebook is not associated with common psychological harm. This groundbreaking study, led by professors Andrew Przhybylski and Matti Wuorre, analyzed the well-being of nearly a million people from 72 countries over a period of 12 years, collecting information on their actual use of Facebook. The results have been published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
Contrary to previous claims in academic and popular literature, the study provides compelling evidence that Facebook may actually be associated with positive well-being. Professor Przhybylski states, “Our tests show that Facebook could have a positive impact on well-being. While this does not necessarily mean that Facebook is beneficial for user well-being, the best global data currently available do not support the notion that the expansion of social media is linked to negative effects on well-being across different countries and demographic groups.”
The study also found that the association between Facebook usage and well-being is slightly more positive for men than women, and overall more positive for young people in various countries. Dr. Wuorre adds, “Our results should encourage further empirical research and collaboration between independent scientists and the technology industry to better understand how, when, and why modern online platforms may influence their users.”
These findings have important implications for the ongoing debate surrounding social media and its potential impact on psychological well-being. The study highlights the need for more transparent and collaborative research efforts to establish a clearer understanding of the relationship between social media use and mental health.