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> However, women aged 15–24 who reported having used the Internet in the past week were, on average, less happy with the place they live, compared with people w

> However, women aged 15–24 who reported having used the Internet in the past week were, on average, less happy with the place they live, compared with people who didn’t use the web. I was wondering about the overall effect for young folk and women in particular. It seems like the effect is fairly narrow and not what I would expect. I also wonder if the effects from substantial social media interaction could be teased out.

Verdex 2y ago
>I also wonder if the effects from substantial social media interaction could be teased out. Yeah, this is what I was thinking as well. The internet absolutely has a positive effect on my life. Finding out which store I need to go to, how to do simple home repairs, how to start a garden, maps, ordering groceries (we've got 4 young children; grocery pickup is a life saver). And on the other hand, social media is terrible for me. There's just something about doom scrolling that's hard to give up because it's the perfect way to kill dead time.
- bombcar 2y ago
  And I bet if we asked you how the Internet was for you right after you ordered groceries, you'd be quite in favor of it. But if we asked you right after you got in a doom scrolling sadness argument, you'd probably hate it. Too many of these studies are based on self-reporting; I feel that we need something more to really get correct answers.
- borgdefense 2y ago
  You have agency, you could just delete your social media. I have never used Tiktok, haven't used Facebook since 2014 and Twitter wouldn't be worth using if I was sent a monthly check in the mail. People just txt me and those that don't have my number, don't have my number for a reason. Of course, I am missing out on what my cousin's ex wife is having for lunch. This is a feature though and not a bug.
HPsquared 2y ago
That one could also be reverse causality. People who don't enjoy their local area spend time in cyberspace instead.
- Broken_Hippo 2y ago
  Which might be if it said they were spending a lot of time online. It just says in the past week. Most folks I know use the internet a little bit each and every day, even if they aren't being social. Banking, playing a single player game (after logging into playstations network, of course), reading news, watching a show or movie.
lemonlime0x3C33 2y ago
The internet is a wonderful thing, having access to learn new skills, research any topic and connect to people is great. Social media is awful, growing up with it definitely impacted my self image and even as an adult I am not immune to it. I do think it does more good than harm though especially with people who may otherwise not have many organic opportunities at social interactions.

Verdex 2y ago

>I also wonder if the effects from substantial social media interaction could be teased out. Yeah, this is what I was thinking as well. The internet absolutely has a positive effect on my life. Finding out which store I need to go to, how to do simple home repairs, how to start a garden, maps, ordering groceries (we've got 4 young children; grocery pickup is a life saver). And on the other hand, social media is terrible for me. There's just something about doom scrolling that's hard to give up because it's the perfect way to kill dead time.

bombcar 2y ago
And I bet if we asked you how the Internet was for you right after you ordered groceries, you'd be quite in favor of it. But if we asked you right after you got in a doom scrolling sadness argument, you'd probably hate it. Too many of these studies are based on self-reporting; I feel that we need something more to really get correct answers.
borgdefense 2y ago
You have agency, you could just delete your social media. I have never used Tiktok, haven't used Facebook since 2014 and Twitter wouldn't be worth using if I was sent a monthly check in the mail. People just txt me and those that don't have my number, don't have my number for a reason. Of course, I am missing out on what my cousin's ex wife is having for lunch. This is a feature though and not a bug.

HPsquared 2y ago

That one could also be reverse causality. People who don't enjoy their local area spend time in cyberspace instead.

Broken_Hippo 2y ago
Which might be if it said they were spending a lot of time online. It just says in the past week. Most folks I know use the internet a little bit each and every day, even if they aren't being social. Banking, playing a single player game (after logging into playstations network, of course), reading news, watching a show or movie.

lemonlime0x3C33 2y ago

The internet is a wonderful thing, having access to learn new skills, research any topic and connect to people is great. Social media is awful, growing up with it definitely impacted my self image and even as an adult I am not immune to it. I do think it does more good than harm though especially with people who may otherwise not have many organic opportunities at social interactions.