New Study Suggests Internet Isn’t Bad for Mental Health, But Is This Conclusion Too Narrow?
After the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning about the negative effects of social media on youth, it’s surprising to see a new study claiming that the internet isn’t bad for mental health. However, the study’s findings might not be as straightforward as they seem.
A Study That Contrasts Internet Access with Well-being
Researchers published a study in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, which examined the relationship between internet access and mental health. They looked at yearly per capita internet and mobile-broadband subscriptions and various measures of well-being and mental health in 168 countries over a 16-year period. In another set of studies, they analyzed data from 202 countries over 19 years.
What the Study Found
The study didn’t find a convincing link between internet access and poorer well-being and mental health. However, among young individuals, there were some minor positive and negative correlations between certain variables. Co-author Dr. Andrew K. Przybylski, a professor of human behavior and technology at the University of Oxford, noted that these findings were difficult to interpret.
Limitations and Implications
Przybylski believes that the study provides the “best evidence” on the question of whether internet access is associated with worse emotional and psychological experiences. He also noted that the study highlights the difficulty of studying the problem due to the lack of data in the hands of researchers. The crucial data belongs to private companies who use it to refine their marketing strategies.
Call for Change
Przybylski advocates for secure, ethical, and legal data donation, similar to how people give permission for researchers to use their genetic, financial, educational, and health data. He believes that this “rich data” is currently used to sell products and ads, and researchers have a diminished ability to study everyday life.
Conclusion
While the study’s findings might seem to suggest that the internet isn’t bad for mental health, it’s essential to consider the limitations and implications of the research. The study didn’t distinguish internet access from certain types of platforms, such as social media and gaming. Furthermore, the data used in the study was aggregated and might not accurately represent individual experiences. It’s crucial to continue studying the relationship between online behaviors and well-being to better understand the impact of the internet on mental health.
FAQs
Q: What did the study find?
A: The study found no convincing link between internet access and poorer well-being and mental health.
Q: What are the limitations of the study?
A: The study didn’t distinguish internet access from certain types of platforms, and the data used was aggregated and might not accurately represent individual experiences.
Q: What does the study suggest about the impact of the internet on mental health?
A: The study suggests that the internet might not have a direct negative impact on mental health, but it’s essential to continue studying the relationship between online behaviors and well-being to better understand the impact of the internet on mental health.
