Cross-Platform Differences in the Well-Being Effects of Social Media: Evidence from Longitudinal Surveys and Trace Data

Abstract

Social media platforms differ in their communicative and social affordances. These differences can explain the mixed findings regarding the positive or harmful association of social media use with well-being. This study uses representative surveys from Pew Research, Simmons National Consumer Survey, and Gallup Sharecare together with Google Trends data to analyze the association of social media use with well-being and depression at the individual- and regional-level. In region-level data from 2015-2018, frequent Facebook use is positively associated with well-being while frequent Instagram use is negatively associated with well-being. This is also corroborated by regional digital trace data from 2014-2018. Many of the effects are replicated in a region-level analysis of social media use with region-level depression diagnoses trends. Subgroup analyses support the reinforcement hypothesis, since the positive effects of social media on well-being are experienced by white, high-income subgroups at both the individual and the county level, while negative effects -- specifically, of Instagram use -- are observed on younger and minority populations. The findings suggest that that a monolithic perspective of social media platforms may need to be reconsidered, especially in the context of their social and psychological impact.