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Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research

Date Submitted: Apr 16, 2024
Date Accepted: Oct 3, 2024

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Ten Myths About the Effect of Social Media Use on Well-Being

Hall J

Ten Myths About the Effect of Social Media Use on Well-Being

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e59585

DOI: 10.2196/59585

PMID: 39586087

PMCID: 11629030

Ten Myths about the Effect of Social Media on Well-Being

  • Jeffrey Hall

ABSTRACT

This manuscript reviews the empirical evidence regarding the association between social media use and well-being, including life satisfaction and affective well-being, and the association between social media and ill-being, including loneliness, anxiety, and depression symptomology. To frame this discussion, this manuscript will present 10 widely believed myths about social media, each drawn from popular discourse on the topic. In rebuttal, this manuscript will offer a warranted claim supported by the research. The goal is to bring popular beliefs into dialogue with state of the art quantitative social scientific evidence. It is the intention of this manuscript is to provide a more accurate and nuanced claim to challenge each myth. This manuscript will bring attention to the importance of using rigorous scientific evidence to inform public debates about social media use and well-being, especially among adolescents and young adults.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Hall J

Ten Myths About the Effect of Social Media Use on Well-Being

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e59585

DOI: 10.2196/59585

PMID: 39586087

PMCID: 11629030

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