A new correlative study conducted by Melissa Hunt at Penn State shows that the longer a person uses social media, the lonelier and more depressed they become. Meanwhile, limiting social media use per day can lead to significant improvement in well-being.

While this study is limited in scope (since it only covered usage on three social media sites), its findings are significant. We need to spend less time on technology and more time with the things that truly matter to us, such as our families.

Why It Matters

This article provides us with another incentive for limiting our access to social media because it can benefit our mental well-being, as well as protect the privacy and security of our data.

In a world dominated by technology, disconnecting ourselves from the internet can be very difficult, but it is one we must make time for, so that we don’t lose sight of who we are as individuals.

This research is especially important for children who are exposed social media early. Because children are still in their formative years, they are easily swayed by what they experience online. And if more social media use can lead to more depression, then it will be to the child’s benefit to be prevented from having their own social media accounts, until they are old enough to make decisions for themselves.

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