Instagram is the worst social media network for mental health and wellbeing, according to a recent survey of almost 1,500 teens and young adults. Whereas the photo-based platform got points for self-expression and self-identity, it was also related to high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying and FOMO, or the “fear of missing out.”
Out of 5 social networks included within the survey, YouTube received the highest marks for health and wellbeing and was the sole site that received an internet positive score by respondents. Twitter came in second, followed by Facebook then Snapchat—with Instagram bringing up the rear.
The #StatusOfMind survey, published by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society for Public Health, included input from 1,479 young people (ages 14 to 24) from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. From February through May of this year, individuals answered questions about how different social media platforms impacted 14 different problems associated with their mental or physical health.
There were certainly some benefits related to social networking. All of the sites received positive scores for self-identity, self-expression, community building and emotional support, as an example. YouTube additionally got high marks for bringing awareness of other people’s health experiences, for providing access to trustworthy health data and for decreasing respondents’ levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
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