Scrolling your phone sounds like the opposite of self-care, but new research shows that internet use and access can actually improve a person’s well-being.
In a large-scale new study published in the journal Technology, Mind & Behavior, researchers examined the impact of the Internet on mental health. They found that people with Internet access scored 8% higher on happiness than those without. The effect is similar to the benefits of a walk in nature.
The study examined eight well-being outcomes: life satisfaction; daily negative and positive experiences; two measures of social well-being; physical health; community well-being; and purposeful experiences.
They then used a series of multiverse analyzes to determine how these measures differed between people who frequently accessed and used the Internet and those who did not. The data spans 15 years, from 2006 to 2021, and covers more than 2.4 million people in 168 countries. The authors intentionally sought a more global view of Internet use than previous research has provided.
“While the Internet is global, research on it is not,” Andrew Przybylski, one of the study’s authors, said in a May 9 press release. “More than 90 percent of The data set comes from a handful of English-speaking countries, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, he said.
What benefits does the Internet do to us?
The study doesn’t provide specific answers to why being online makes us happier, but other research has found that the Internet can be a source of social support and community for people with physical disabilities, create a sense of belonging among teenagers and spur a reduction in depression among older adults. .
On the therapeutic side, the Internet is also increasingly associated with health—particularly when it comes to mental health. A study published by the American Medical Association found that 88% of mental health treatment facilities offered telemedicine services in September 2022, compared with 39.4% in April 2019.
Because the Internet touches every aspect of our lives, organizations like the Federal Communications Commission and SAMHSA have even called broadband a “superdeterminer” of health because of its impact on education, employment, and health care.
“Clinical service delivery only accounts for 20 percent of health outcomes. The 40 percent is what we call socioeconomic status,” said Carol Myers, a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville who studies health care access and disparities. Carole Myers) told CNET. “This includes your income level, education level and the resources available in the community.”
“Broadband access is really important for telemedicine, but it’s also important for economic development, attracting businesses, and it’s important for education. Those things, in turn, promote health,” Myers said.
Another recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that a 10% increase in the proportion of county residents with broadband Internet was associated with a 1.01% decrease in county suicides “as well as self-reported mental and physical health.”
There are still reasons to be cautious about online use
While this new study finds that the Internet makes most of us happier, there is one notable exception. Among women aged 15 to 24, there was a negative association between Internet use and reports of community well-being.
The authors note that this is “consistent with previous reports of increases in cyberbullying and more negative associations between social media use and depressive symptoms in young women.”
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in 2021, 57% of teenage girls reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. “”
Tips for a healthy online life
There are several steps you can take to minimize these harmful aspects of your online life, including regularly disconnecting from social media. Studies have found that digital detox can improve symptoms of depression, among other mental health benefits. Another study of college students who underwent a social media detox for one to seven days found that most students experienced positive changes in mood, with increased productivity, improved sleep, and reduced anxiety.
It doesn’t have to be as serious as a week-long detox, either. Taking regular phone breaks throughout the day can lead to bigger changes, such as improved sleep quality. CNET writer Jessica Fierro also recommends taking advantage of focus mode on your iPhone or Android phone.
The internet is essential to our work, health and social lives, and shockingly, it even makes us happier. But like most things in life, it’s still best done in moderation.
