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A new study compares the happiness levels of social media users and apps
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New international research has reignited debate on social media and mental illness, claiming it to be harmful. TikTok Instagram users may feel less happy than those who use other popular platforms. Researchers claim that not all apps have the same effect on people. Platforms built around endlessly recommended content could be more negative than those used primarily to communicate with family and friends.
This is a familiar feeling for many who have closed an app after just a few scrolls, and feel strangely drained, annoyed or dissatisfied.
Social media has been a hot topic for years. This study suggests that the picture could be more complex.
Some apps can make you feel worse than others
Many people use multiple apps without realizing how different they are.
WhatsApp is a great way to plan a dinner. Facebook can be used to check on family members. Instagram allows you to view photos.
The phones are all the same, but the way they work is different.
According to the research, some platforms have been built primarily around personal connections. Some platforms are more driven by algorithms, which constantly provide users with content to keep their attention.
The difference is important
When you open WhatsApp you know exactly why you’re there. You are trying to contact someone. You can scroll through TikTok and Instagram to see what happens next.
This creates an entirely different experience.
The endless scroll effect
Users are familiar with the pattern. After five minutes of using the app, you’ll find that half an hour has passed.
Another video is a result of the first. One reel becomes ten. One post can turn into a stream of posts about people who are travelling, buying houses, getting fit, achieving success in business, or leading exciting and polished lives.
Even when users are aware that the images have been staged or selected, they can still have an emotional impact.
It may seem that your life suddenly seems dull.
It doesn’t always happen in a dramatic way. Sometimes it’s subtle.
The app is closed and you are left feeling flat.
Researchers suggest that exposure to repetitive content of this type may explain why some users feel less satisfied, tired and depressed after spending time using certain platforms.
Comparison is powerful
Humans naturally compare. Social media feeds this instinct with a steady supply of material.
Instagram is a place where you can find beauty, luxury and travel. TikTok has a lot of talent and trends, as well as people who appear to be invincible. Filters, editing and timing can make even the most ordinary user look amazing.
This leads to viewers comparing their own behind-the-scenes reality with that of another’s highlight film.
This can have a negative impact on your self-esteem.
Teenagers can compare their appearance or popularity.
Adults can compare career, relationships, parenting, or money.
The mechanism remains the same, even though the pressure is different.
What messaging apps feel different
According to the study, platforms that rely more on direct communication might not have the same emotional impact.
When people use WhatsApp and Messenger, they often talk to people that they already know.
Conversation, support, joking, family updates, and practical contact are all part of the experience. It feels more real than passively consuming information from strangers. Many people are able to tell the difference instantly.
After talking with a friend they feel connected. After scrolling on their phone for an hour they might feel mentally tired. It does not mean that messaging apps are perfect. Only that the experience may be different.
The problem is not limited to young people
When discussing social media harm, teens are usually the first to be mentioned. However, adults are also deeply affected.
Adults spend a lot of time scrolling online, checking their likes and feeling insecure after watching others succeed.
Comparing or having compulsive behaviors is not confined to any particular age group.
Adults may be able to hide their sexuality better in some cases.
What can users do without deleting all their data?
It’s not necessary to put your phone away. Social media is a part of everyday life for many people. It’s useful, entertaining, and a way to stay connected.
It may be smarter to pay attention to the way each app impacts you. You should pay attention if one platform consistently makes you feel tense or low.
It can be a great help to reduce time, silence accounts that are triggering comparisons, turn off notifications or take breaks.
It can also be helpful to replace some of the scrolling with real conversation.
It is better to spend ten minutes talking with a friend than an hour silently browsing.
What the study actually highlights
The main message is that not all apps are harmful. The key message is that design influences behaviour.
Some platforms aim to keep their users engaged for the longest time possible. It may have emotional side effects, which people notice only later.
Users in Spain, UK and beyond may no longer ask whether social media is bad or good.
Which apps makes you feel better when you put down your phone?
