this post was submitted on 18 Dec 2025
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In one of the largest randomized trials of its kind, Stanford researchers examined what happens when people stop using Facebook and Instagram (web.stanford.edu)
submitted 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) by kwero@sh.itjust.works to c/science@lemmy.world
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Importantly, participants in our study only turned off their Facebook or Instagram accounts. Much of the freed-up time was shifted to other smartphone apps, including other social media.

An experiment that restricted access to a wider set of apps could have had larger effects

https://web.stanford.edu/~gentzkow/research/emotional_state_op_ed.pdf

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[–] atrielienz@lemmy.world 4 points 8 hours ago

It proves something we already knew.

  1. Humans are social animals and they look to make connections with other humans.
  2. Humans have a hard time making connections IRL in this day and age because we have very much made the real world a pay to play hellscape.

So basically, to interact with people who enjoy what you enjoy and talk to people about hobbies and interests we seek out social media because we don't get that interaction elsewhere.