The largest independent scientific study ever conducted has found no evidence linking the worldwide penetration of Facebook to widespread psychological harm, according to leading Oxford internet researchers. This groundbreaking research, published in the Royal Society Open Science, used data from nearly a million people across 72 countries over 12 years to investigate the impact of Facebook on well-being.
Contrary to popular claims, the study found “no evidence” that Facebook’s spread negatively affects well-being. In fact, the analysis suggests that Facebook may have a positive impact on well-being. Professor Andrew Przybylski, one of the lead researchers, explains, “Our examination of the best available data indicates that Facebook membership is not related to harm. Instead, it suggests a possible link to positive well-being.”
Previous research on social media and well-being has been limited in scope, focusing mainly on data from the Global North and relying on self-reports. This study, however, provides a truly global perspective by analyzing Facebook usage data alongside robust well-being data from around the world.
It’s important to note that Facebook’s involvement in the research was limited to providing data and did not influence the study’s design or findings. The researchers worked tirelessly for over two years to secure the necessary data, combining well-being data from Gallup with Facebook engagement data to gain insights into the impact of Facebook use on well-being.
The study covers the period from 2008 to 2019, a critical time for understanding the relationship between social media use and well-being. The researchers found no evidence of negative associations and, in many cases, observed positive correlations between Facebook and well-being indicators.
Furthermore, the study explored differences based on age and gender. While the association between Facebook adoption and well-being was slightly more positive for males than females, these trends were not significant. Additionally, younger individuals generally experienced more positive effects on well-being from Facebook use.
This latest study aligns with previous research from the Oxford experts, which has shown that technology use is not increasingly associated with negative psychological outcomes over time. Dr. Vuorre, one of the researchers, emphasizes the need for more collaborative research between independent scientists and the technology industry to better understand the impact of online platforms on users.
