Reduction in Social Media Usage Produces Improvements in Physical Health and Wellbeing: An RCT

Abstract

Social media usage has increased over recent years and has been associated with negative effects on health and wellbeing. This study explored whether reducing smartphone screentime would improve health and wellbeing. Fifty students completed a battery of questionnaires regarding their health, immune function, loneliness, sleep, anxiety, and depression. They were allocated randomly to groups either using smartphones as normal (No Change), reducing usage by 15 min per day (Reduce), or reducing use by 15 min and substituting another activity during this time (Reduce + Activity). After 3 months, they completed the same questionnaires again. There was unexpectedly low compliance with the Reduce + Activity (leisure substitution) intervention. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in screentime for the Reduce group compared to the other two groups. There was a significant improvement in the Reduce group in general health, immune function, loneliness, and depression compared to the other groups. These findings extend previous results from similar studies and suggest limiting screentime may be beneficial to health and wellbeing.

The impact of hedonic social media use during microbreaks on employee resources recovery

“…The findings support the hypothesis that brief SM-related breaks can positively impact the well-being of employees, which challenges previous research that highlights the adverse effects of SM activities (e.g., Brooks & Califf, 2017;van Zoonen et al, 2017;Vanman et al, 2018). Thus, the results align with those of prior studies indicating that SM can help individuals rest from workrelated strains, which offers a restorative experience (e.g., Demircioglu & Chen, 2019;Munene & Nyaribo, 2013;Reed et al, 2023). Therefore, the apparent contradiction in previous findings may be reconciled by considering the specific purpose and duration of SM use examined in the current study, which advocates for hedonic engagement within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., <10 min).…”

“…This proposition stems from empirical evidence that indicates that SM use can effectively disengage individuals from ongoing tasks and facilitate a restorative break from demands. Researchers posited that SM can confer benefits on workers given that they are not excessively overused (Demircioglu & Chen, 2019;Munene & Nyaribo, 2013;Reed et al, 2023).…”

Reel for a Good Feel: Impact of Social Media Use During Microbreaks on Employee Resources

“…This proposition stems from evidence that SM use can effectively disengage individuals from ongoing tasks and facilitate a restorative break from demands. Researchers posited that SM could bene t workers, given that they are not excessively overused 24,29,30 . Conversely, SM can deplete employee resources when characterized by constant checks and overuse 16, 31,32 .…”

“…Engaging in hedonic SM use seemingly offers a means of disconnecting from such demands, allowing employees to replenish psychological resources without imposing a substantial cognitive burden. These ndings challenge previous research that highlights the adverse effects of SM activities e.g., 17,27,79 and align with those indicating that SM can help individuals rest from work-related strains 24,e.g., 29,30 . Therefore, the apparent contradiction in previous ndings may be reconciled by considering the speci c purpose and duration of SM use examined in the current study, which advocates for hedonic engagement within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., < 10 min).…”