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Social media is fun, but its disadvantages can be more than its benefits. Stanford University has recently done a big study on social media and mental health. This research showed what the benefits of keeping a distance from social media can be and which people get the most benefit from it.

How was the study done?
The name of the study was 'The Effect of Deactivating Facebook and Instagram on Users' Emotional State'. Under this, more than 35,000 social media users were selected randomly. They were given money to deactivate Facebook or Instagram just six weeks before the 2020 US presidential election.

The researchers compared the effects of a week and a month and a half of social media detox. They surveyed to know how happy, sad, or anxious they were feeling during this time. Some users also shared what they did in the free time they got from social media.

What was the result?
The mood of those who closed Facebook showed improvement by 6%.

Those who stopped using Instagram showed a 4% improvement in mood.

While these numbers may seem small, the improvement in mental health was clear.

Facebook: Users aged 35 years and above felt the happiest.

Instagram: Young people aged 18 to 24, especially women, felt the most positive effects.

Instagram users immediately started using other apps.

Facebook users spent an average of 9 minutes away from the screen every day, but most of their free time was spent on other apps.

Study limitations

Only 0.5% of the people who participated in this study were willing to give up social media for money.

The timing of the study was also important; it lasted only for 6 weeks before the US elections.

The information about the mood of the users was taken based on surveys, in which people can try to show a better version of themselves.

Also, when someone knows that he is a part of the study, his answers can be influenced.

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