Mind and behavior · 1 min read
Viewing social media content did not predict well-being a year later
Among 3,205 Australian adolescents, more posting coincided with more distress and more messaging with greater well-being, measured in the same survey.
The study, in plain language
Saying someone uses social media could refer to watching videos, posting, or talking with another person. A study of Australian adolescents separated these activities and asked how they related to well-being and emotional distress, first at one point and then a year later.
Viewing content did not consistently predict changes in these measures over the year. In the final survey, posting more on weekdays coincided with more reports of elevated distress, while more frequent messaging or video-calling coincided with more reports of well-being. This is a snapshot from one point in time: it does not say whether posting brings distress or people who feel distressed post more. Also, “viewing” grouped videos, posts, and stories together.
The key idea
Viewing social media did not predict mood a year later. Posting and talking coincided with opposite patterns in the same survey.
Something to think about
If you are an adolescent, notice whether viewing, posting, and talking on social media leave you feeling different. An association with how you feel does not show which causes which.
The original study
Scrolling, Chatting, and Posting: Longitudinal Changes in Distinct Social Media Behaviors and Their Relationship With Psychological Distress and Mental Wellbeing in Adolescents
Source under CC BY 4.0. English adaptation and explanation by PaperFlow, with AI assistance. The text has been reorganized for a general audience; it is not the complete paper and does not imply endorsement by its authors.
One study alone does not represent a field's consensus. Educational content does not replace professional advice. Report a possible error.