The social networks 'complain' about patterns of thinking that sweep us into a vortex of increasing depression, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Bochum in Germany that will be published in the March 2024 issue of Telematics and Information Reports, and has already gone online.
We used Claude to bring the summary of the conclusions.
The researchers conducted a survey among over 1,200 participants, in which they found a correlation between materialism, tolerant consumption of social media, addiction to obsessive checking of the networks, low mood and a decrease in happiness indicators.
The data shows that social network users who focus on comparing themselves and their possessions to that of others are particularly negatively affected.
This manifests in constantly thinking about updates they miss, quantifying their self-worth with likes, and risking their real-world relationships to maintain a certain image on the networks.
The platforms also deliberately promote materialistic values through influencer culture and consumer-centric algorithms, which constantly pump us that whoever has more products is happier.
The author of the study, Dr. Philip Ozimek, points out that the identification of excessive use and the way in which it allows unhealthy comparison is the key to reducing the harm of social networks - even if their complete abandonment poses a risk of 'overcorrection'. In addition, the psychological treatment of people who are already treated can be improved Thanks to the assessment of materialism and the level of use of social networks as relevant factors for their distress.
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