Social media is taking a toll on our happiness, says Arthur C. Brooks, an American economist and professor at Harvard University. In an interview with CBS News, Brooks argued that excessive social media use can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Brooks' research suggests that people who spend more time on social media are more likely to experience negative emotions and have lower levels of happiness. He attributes this to the curated and idealized nature of social media platforms, which create unrealistic expectations and promote comparison and competition among users.
"People see everyone else's highlight reels and feel like they're not good enough," Brooks said. "That can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety."
Furthermore, Brooks argues that social media can also erode our sense of community and face-to-face interaction. As people spend more time online, they are less likely to engage in meaningful conversations with others, leading to a decline in deep, personal connections.
To mitigate the negative effects of social media on happiness, Brooks recommends setting boundaries and limits on social media use. He suggests taking regular breaks from social media, engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, and cultivating deeper relationships with family and friends.
By being more mindful of our social media use and prioritizing face-to-face interaction, we can reduce the negative impacts of social media on our happiness and cultivate a healthier online and offline lifestyle.
Brooks' research suggests that people who spend more time on social media are more likely to experience negative emotions and have lower levels of happiness. He attributes this to the curated and idealized nature of social media platforms, which create unrealistic expectations and promote comparison and competition among users.
"People see everyone else's highlight reels and feel like they're not good enough," Brooks said. "That can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety."
Furthermore, Brooks argues that social media can also erode our sense of community and face-to-face interaction. As people spend more time online, they are less likely to engage in meaningful conversations with others, leading to a decline in deep, personal connections.
To mitigate the negative effects of social media on happiness, Brooks recommends setting boundaries and limits on social media use. He suggests taking regular breaks from social media, engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, and cultivating deeper relationships with family and friends.
By being more mindful of our social media use and prioritizing face-to-face interaction, we can reduce the negative impacts of social media on our happiness and cultivate a healthier online and offline lifestyle.
I'm like totally guilty of this! I spend way too much time scrolling through Instagram and Facebook, comparing my life to everyone else's highlight reel 
. It's so annoying when I see all these perfect couples on holiday or friends having the best time together and I'm just over here feeling miserable 
. And don't even get me started on how many times I've gone online to "catch up" with friends only to realize we haven't spoken in ages 
. It's like, social media is supposed to bring us closer together, but really it's just making us feel more isolated and anxious 
. Brooks is totally right, we need to take a step back and prioritize real-life interactions 
. I'm trying to cut back on my screen time and focus on what really matters – spending quality time with loved ones 
. Wish me luck! 
but honestly who has time for that? setting boundaries and limits is the way to go in my book. like take a break from the internet once a week or something and just live life 
. It's all about image over substance, and it's taking a toll on our mental health. I mean, think about it - when was the last time you saw someone post about their mundane daily routine on Instagram? 
It's all curated perfection out there.
. We need to take a step back and think about what's really important - face-to-face connections, meaningful conversations, and community building. I mean, would the US economy thrive if everyone spent more time volunteering and less time scrolling through Facebook? 
It's time to redefine our social media strategy and prioritize our well-being over our online personas 
.
- too much social media is SO not good for your mental health! I mean, have you ever scrolled through Instagram and seen everyone's highlight reels? It's like they're all living their best lives except you 
. And it's so easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you don't measure up. It's literally a recipe for anxiety and depression.
. Who's with me? 
, it's bound to mess with your mind. And don't even get me started on how it's eroding our sense of community... I mean, what's the point of having friends online if we're not actually meeting up in real life? 
I think Brooks makes some solid points about setting boundaries and taking breaks from social media... maybe we should all take a step back and re-evaluate how much time we're spending online vs. offline. 
. I mean, come on, Brooks just dropped this info out of nowhere without any studies to back it up? Where's the data? What kind of research did he do? I need sources, dude! This sounds like a classic case of correlation does not equal causation. Maybe people who are already depressed or anxious are more likely to spend time on social media... doesn't mean social media is causing the problem 
.
. And you know what? It works! I find that when I take breaks and focus on real-life connections, I actually start feeling happier and more fulfilled 
.
but nobody posts about their messy days 
like "i spilled coffee all over my shirt" or "i lost my keys again"... sounds relatable right? 
... setting boundaries on social media is a must imo 
. I try to limit my social media use, especially before bed, but it's hard when everyone around me is scrolling away 
And yeah, taking time for activities that bring me joy, like hiking or painting, is super important for my mental health too.
. I mean, have you seen all those highlight reels on Instagram? It's like everyone is living this perfect life and you're just over here feeling like a total failure 
.
. I love social media for keeping in touch with friends and family who live far away, but at the end of the day, I need some time to unplug and focus on what really matters - like spending time with loved ones or trying out a new hobby 
.
), but about being more mindful of how we use it and making sure it's not controlling our lives. By setting those boundaries and prioritizing what really makes us happy, I think we can all start to feel a little more fulfilled 
I'm really surprised by this news... like, I know some people who just can't put down their phones even when they're with friends or family 
. But at the same time, social media has connected me to so many cool people from all over the world 
. I mean, how can we just delete it entirely? 
... everyone's always posting their highlight reel, but nobody posts about all the drama they're dealing with behind closed doors 
. We need to find that balance between being online and offline and not letting one consume the other 
but really they're just postin highlight reels 
i mean, its like, we need to take a step back and remember that social media isnt real life 
.
. Let's prioritize our mental health over those likes and follows. 
. It's all so superficial. I need some real-life connections, you know? A friend of mine just got back from a trip and posted like 10 photos on Facebook... but then she just stopped responding to our messages for weeks. That's when it hit me - maybe social media isn't the best way to stay connected with people.
. I've been doing that more often, and I can already feel a difference. It's all about finding that balance between online and offline life. Maybe it's time for me to take a break from Facebook too...