Research released in the peer-reviewed Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking journal indicates that following famous strangers on Instagram could have a negative psychological effect.
“There is growing evidence that following strangers on (social networks) and comparing oneself to others have important implications for well-being,” the study stated.
HOW INSTAGRAM DEPRESSES YOU
A main reason, on Instagram at least, thought to cause psychological issues is following more strangers than friends. In an interview with San Jose Mercury News, Pace University psychology professor and co-author of the study Leora Trub, said: “More Instagram use is related to greater depressive symptoms only for those at the highest level of strangers followed.” Trub asked 117 Instagram users between the ages of 18 to 29 about their use of the platform and their feelings in comparison to other users of the platform.
MORE FACEBOOK USERS ARE FRIENDS WITH STRANGERS
And increasingly, users are including strangers in their social media circle. The Mercury News mentioned that the market research organization Statista has found that the average Facebook user’s amount of friends has increased from less than 200 ten years ago to more than 700 today.
The findings of the study were consistent with those of a 2012 report that established a link between social media use and depression in teens, as Carolyn Gregoire of the Huffington Post pointed out.
A COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP
Speaking to the Huffington Post, the study’s lead author Dr. Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga appeared to have not drawn any big conclusions from the study. Correlation, as any professional researcher knows, does not equal causation.
“The relationship between the use of social networking sites and mental health problems is complex,” the psychologist said. “Simple use of social networking sites cannot fully explain by itself the occurrence of mental health problems.”
DO DEPRESSED PEOPLE MOSTLY USE SOCIAL MEDIA OR DOES SOCIAL MEDIA DEPRESS PEOPLE?
While it is thought by many that social media itself may have a negative impact, it remains a possibility that people with mental health issues use social media more often than those without them.
“It could be that teens with mental health problems are seeking out interactions as they are feeling isolated and alone,” Dr. Hugues Sampasa-Kayinga e-mailed the aggregate site. “Or they would like to satisfy unmet needs for face-to-face mental health support.”
Cover photo courtesy of the Outreach Marketer.
