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Are People Happier Without Social Media?

I was an early adopter of social media back when it first started to get traction. I remember joining Facebook back when you needed a university email and spending far too much time optimizing my MySpace page so that animated gifs and music would play. Over time, the fun began to fade, and it all became too noisy and draining. I don't really like social media, what with how it is used today. Hell, I see people doing disruptive dances in public with full-on lighting rigs and phone stands, and it reinforces the idea that there are some large swaths of social media that really, really, really aren't for me. And while regrettable, I have deliberately walked through those videos and ruined their takes. In my defense, if you're going to post up near a mall escalator (in a high traffic area) and block walking areas with filming set-ups, then yeah, you're probably going to inconvenience people to the point where they walk through your frame. ANYWAY lately, I’ve been wondering: Are people who use less social media actually happier? I've found that I quite enjoy little social media detoxes, but what about others? According to a Pew Research Center report, countries like Germany and Japan have high internet access but relatively low social media usage, with only about 40% of adults in each country using social platforms, compared to 75% or more in places like Jordan and the Philippines. This disparity made me curious: Is less scrolling actually better for our well-being?

Social media is a double-edged sword; On the one hand, it fosters connection, creativity, and community, but on the other hand, it fuels comparison, anxiety, and the now-infamous “doom scroll.” While many factors influence a nation’s happiness, it’s interesting that some of the most plugged-in societies are also the most reserved about social media. Studies have shown that stepping away from platforms, even briefly, can improve mood and reduce stress. I’ve felt it myself during breaks: more focus, better sleep, and less mental clutter.

I can’t truly compare how happy I was pre-social media because I was still a kid then. But my parents, who entered adulthood long before social media and now use it regularly, might have a clearer perspective. Were they happier before social media impacted their daily life? It’s a question worth asking, I'd say.

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