Facebook is often described as a social network that can be detrimental to mental health. That view often rests on the idea that the app fosters envy of other people’s lives. However, researchers from the University of Oxford argue this criticism is a misconception without solid evidence.
No Evidence of Mental Harm from Facebook
Researchers analyzed data from nearly a million people in 72 countries over 12 years to study Facebook’s impact on well-being. They found no evidence that using the social network is linked to overall mental harm; in some cases, it appeared to be beneficial.
This new study contrasts sharply with a large body of previous research and online criticism claiming that Facebook seriously harms mental health. Oxford researchers had previously concluded that social media does not harm teenagers.
Now they have conducted the largest study of its kind on Facebook’s impact. The social network did not commission or fund the research, although Facebook did participate in the study.
Professor Andrew Przybylski, the study’s author, says the team carefully examined the best available data and found no evidence of harm from using the app. The analysis suggests Facebook may be associated with improved well-being, although that doesn’t prove the platform is overall beneficial for every user. Instead, the best global data do not support the idea that Facebook has a negative impact on well-being across countries and demographic groups.
The new Oxford study focused solely on Facebook’s impact, so it’s unclear whether the results generalize to social media as a whole.
How Does Facebook Actually Affect Users?
Researchers examined survey-based well-being data from nearly 947,000 Facebook users in 72 countries over 12 years, from 2008 (when Facebook overtook MySpace as the largest social platform) to 2019.
The team looked at active users across two age groups—ages 13 to 34 and 35 and older—separately for men and women. When they analyzed each country’s population on its own, they found no link between Facebook use and negative experiences or life dissatisfaction.
On the contrary, in many cases there was a positive relationship between app use and well-being indicators, such as positive life experiences. The results indicated this connection was somewhat stronger for men than for women across most metrics. Overall, younger people in many countries showed more positive changes, and those effects were statistically significant.
As explained by the Daily Mail, despite widespread claims about social media harming well-being, this new study found no evidence to back those assertions. It was the first study to pair Facebook usage data with reliable well-being measures across such a wide geographic scope. For that reason, Professor Vuorre argues the findings offer a genuinely global perspective on the app’s impact on users’ well-being.
Negative Findings from Previous Research
The research team notes that negative psychological consequences of social media appear throughout academic and popular literature. Previous studies have linked Facebook use with poorer well-being, especially among children and teenagers.
For example, a German study from 2013 found that one in three people felt dissatisfied with their lives after visiting the app. Seeing friends’ vacation photos or upbeat posts about how happy their lives are can trigger jealousy.
A 2015 study found children who spent more than three hours a day on social media, including Facebook, were twice as likely to experience mental health problems. A 2012 study showed college students felt worse after increasing their time on the app.
The Balance Between Positive and Negative Effects of Facebook
Not everything is negative. The Oxford study isn’t the first to find benefits related to Facebook. For instance, a 2019 study concluded the app improved mental health for adults over 30, helping reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Facebook is known for rekindling relationships with old friends and helping people find new connections through shared interests. In that sense, it contrasts with competitors like Twitter, which has long been criticized for enabling online hostility.
Researchers also warn of nearly 50 harmful consequences (not limited to mental health) tied to using platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
The team reviewed more than 50 scientific articles published between 2003 and 2018. In 2003, social media was still in its infancy; Facebook launched the following year.
Among the 46 harmful effects the reviewers identified were privacy violations, deception, panic, interpersonal conflicts, and increased financial risks. Overall, social media issues range from physical and mental health problems to negative impacts on work and academic performance, along with safety and privacy concerns.
