There are many studies devoted to the effect of social networks on our psyche. New work by scientists from Swansea University (UK) expands on these findings.

A new study on social networks

The study was conducted with the participation of 50 students (33 females and 17 males) aged 20-25 years who filled out questionnaires about their health and psychological status for three months and provided weekly reports on the use of social networks.

These individuals were randomly assigned to the groups. The first was asked to reduce the use of social networks by 15 minutes per day, the second – to use it as usual, and the third – to reduce the time spent on the Internet by 15 minutes each day, but devote it to anything else. activity.

Being rejected from social networks is good for health

In the group that reduced the use of social networks, it was revealed that immune function improved by an average of 15% (including the development of papillomas, flu and colds were less common in these people), and sleep quality increased by 15%. reduced the symptoms of depression by half and 30%.

Interestingly, the group that was asked to reduce their social media use by 15 minutes a day actually reduced that time by about 40 minutes. These participants reported reduced levels of social media addiction.

Instead, participants who didn’t have to do anything increased their use of social media by 10 minutes. People who were asked to use the time window for other released activities spent 25 minutes more online time each day.