SXSW Panel: Is Social Media Making Us Sick?

Copyright AbelsonTaylor

#SocialSick

Noah Lowenthal

Digital Creative Director

AbelsonTaylor

@nlowen1

Bekah Lockner

Social Media Manager

AbelsonTaylor

@bekahlockner


#SocialSick

Lots of people are talking

about social media and its

impact on health. But their

sources may not be providing

a balanced perspective


#SocialSick Copyright AbelsonTaylor

Recent studies seem to indicate that Social Media has a negative impact on our mental health and happiness. •  Increased envy, isolation

•  Decreased self-control • Loneliness


Recent studies seem to indicate that Social Media has a negative impact on our mental health and happiness. •  Increased envy, isolation,

•  Decreased self-control • Loneliness

#SocialSick

Envy on Facebook: A Hidden Threat to Users’ Life Satisfaction?

Hanna Krasnova*1, Helena Wenninger2, Thomas Widjaja2, and Peter Buxmann2

“Triggered by over-exposure to social information on a SNS (Social Networking Site), envy feelings can cause significant damage to users’ well-being and impact their life satisfaction [11].”


University based studies using 18-24 year old students are not broadly representative •  Age •  Income •  Education •  Emotional maturity


#SocialSick


•  The goal of our research was to: –  Study a broader, more representative population

–  Determine how, if at all, Social Media affects mental and emotional health

–  Understand how Social Media is impacting real-world social interaction between individuals

•  So, what we mean by “making us sick”? –  Emotional health: Loneliness, isolation, depression, anxiety, envy


Sample & Qualifications: -  Age: 18+ years, quotas for 18-34, 35-49, 50+ -  Gender, Income, Geography, Ethnicity/Race sampled at national

representative levels -  Weighting: Age and gender were weighted back to national levels -  All participants have used at least one of the following sites on at

least a weekly basis: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, or other social media sites

Sample Size: -  Total completed interviews = 318

Field Dates: -  January 25-28, 2013 -  Independent market research vendor, recruited and fielded


Field Technique: Online Attitude and Usage Survey -  Degree of agreement with attitudinal statements -  Self-reported behavior and use of Social Media

Sample Statements: Respondents asked to evaluate statements on a five-point scale, from “Extremely satisfied” to “Not at all satisfied.” •  Having a lot of relationships in my social media space makes me feel

accepted

•  I really wish I could get away from using social media

•  Causes an increase in feelings of depression


#SocialSick


But is it really making us sick?

No


#SocialSick

Q13. Considering everything, over time, do you think social media usage has…? Base: All Respondents


#SocialSick

The most agreed–to statements about social media are positive and extroverted in nature (top two box)

Q12. Now we would like to get a few more of your opinions regarding social media. Please base your answers on your own experience and/or what you may have observed regarding others. Base: All Respondents (N=318)


#SocialSick Q.13a - Please describe, as fully as possible, how social media has made you feel (Better/Worse) about yourself.


Q14. We would like to know about how your social media use has made you feel about certain situations. Base: All Respondents (N=318)

Agree that friends/family doing fun & interesting things on social media without me makes me feel lonely #SocialSick


Agree that friends/family doing fun & interesting things on social media without me makes me feel lonely

Agree that seeing other people’s accomplishments causes anxiety


Agree that friends/family doing fun & interesting things on social media without me makes me feel lonely

Agree that seeing other people’s accomplishments causes anxiety

#SocialSick

Agree fairly often that using social media turns my good mood into a bad one


#SocialSick


#SocialSick



#SocialSick

Q7. Now we would like to get some further opinions of yours regarding social media. Please base your answers on your own experience and/or what you may have seen or heard from others. Base: All Respondents (N=318)


#SocialSick Q7. Now we would like to get some further opinions of yours regarding social media. Please base your answers on your own experience and/or what you may have seen or heard from others. Base: All Respondents (N=318)


Number of Times Socialize In Person in an Average Week

#SocialSick

Q16A. In the average week during the past 12 months, how many times did you actually socialize with another person(s) in person, that is face-to-face as opposed to virtual socializing via social media networks? Base: All Respondents


Usage is anticipated to stay the same or increase…

#SocialSick Q6A. Over the next 6 months or so, how do you expect your usage of these social media sites will compare to your current usage of them? Base: Use Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Other Social Media Sites


Social Satisfaction

#SocialSick

Q15A. Considering everything, how would you rate your satisfaction with your overall social life? Q15B.Considering everything, how would you rate your satisfaction with your social media life? Base: All Respondents (N=318)


#SocialSick Q3. Please check all of the reasons for which you use each social media site in a typical week. Base: Use Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Other Social Media Sites


#SocialSick Q12. Now we would like to get a few more of your opinions regarding social media. Please base your answers on your own experience and/or what you may have observed regarding others. Base: All Respondents (N=318)

Respondents agree that social media: Respondents do not agree that social media:


The majority of respondents don’t trust that other’s behavior is the same offline as it is in social media, or they aren’t sure.

Expectation of Others’ Behavior in Social Media (%)

#SocialSick Q11. Do you trust that people who you are in touch with via social media are the same way with you online as they are off-line/in person? Base: All Respondents


#SocialSick


#SocialSick


• Overall, Social Media does not appear to be negatively impacting our emotional health or happiness • Social Media potentially makes us see ourselves as happier, more connected, friendlier, and more confident • Social Media can create avenues for connecting with distant friends, and strengthens relationships with close friends and family • Social Media use amplifies and mirrors socialization in the real world, both the positive and the negative


•  Opportunity to shadow users over time, (with a tighter segregation of younger users), observe exactly how they engage, and record their attitudinal data

•  Additional research specifically with users who have a diagnosed mental or chronic health condition



Documents

SXSW Panel: Is Social Media Making Us Sick?