High Social Media Use and Wellbeing, by Age
Adjusted differences for high use compared with moderate use
Table compares adjusted differences in wellbeing between adults with high social media use of two hours or more daily and moderate use of 30 minutes to less than two hours, across three age groups. High use is associated with significantly greater anger and sadness across all age groups. Among adults aged 15 to 29, high use is also associated with greater stress, up 2.5 percentage points, and less learning, down 2.8 points. Adults ages 30 to 49 report significantly greater loneliness, up 2.7 points, and feeling well-rested, up 3.0 points. Among adults 50 and older, loneliness and sadness show the largest significant increases, at 3.2 and 2.9 points, respectively. Differences in overall life evaluation are minimal across age groups.
* Statistically significant at p<.05
Low use includes nonusers and adults who spend less than 30 minutes per day. Moderate use is 30 minutes to less than two hours, and high use is two hours or more.
Binary outcomes are percentage-point differences; life evaluation is based on Gallup’s 0-to-10 scale. Positive values indicate higher reported levels than moderate use; negative values indicate lower reported levels.
Low use includes nonusers and adults who spend less than 30 minutes per day. Moderate use is 30 minutes to less than two hours, and high use is two hours or more.
Binary outcomes are percentage-point differences; life evaluation is based on Gallup’s 0-to-10 scale. Positive values indicate higher reported levels than moderate use; negative values indicate lower reported levels.
