Effect of Facebook on Our Emotional State

In Ethan Kross’ article, “Facebook Use Predicts Declines in Subjective Well-Being in Young Adults,” Kross uncovers through his findings, “that passive (but not active) Facebook usage specifically undermines affective well-being and does so by enhancing envy.” How does one “passively” use Facebook as compared to using it “actively?” How might one go about using Facebook, the right way? The wrong way?

Those of us who simply log-in to Facebook for the purpose of seeing what is going on, or what had gone in the previous day or couple of days each use Facebook, passively. One may see how findings in the subjective well-being of young adults can be effected if Facebook itself is used strictly for comparing one’s self to other figures. This, of course compared to the more commonly known usage of the average American teen on Facebook. Typically the teen likes, shares, chats or comments on one of their friend’s post. “Facebook is great for passing time, and now that I’m in college, I love seeing how my other friends are doing at their own schools,” Melissa Azinheira, a freshman and WCSU comments, adding, “I don’t see it making me feel unhappy. Sure, I don’t like seeing negative posts, but unless that was all I saw, I don’t believe it lowers my, ‘subjective well-being.’” Do we do it to ourselves? Lowering our own well-being, that is. Surrounding ourselves in negativity could likely be one of, if not the biggest factor in a decline in subjective well-being. Believe it or not, this fell directly in line with the next student I encountered, Rob Pezullo. He has never had a Facebook, or any social media for that matter, he was incredibly adamant about never becoming subject to one. “With all the things that have come up over the years, cyber bullying and catfishing and all those things, I can’t see how involving yourself in something that negative as a good idea. [Kross’]point in his article, [about] all the negativity radiating from Facebook, I could definitely see it effecting a person’s life.” The negativity, which of course can be avoided, as Azinheira said. It truly may come down to the level of involvement with Facebook, how often it is used and what the purpose behind the usage is.

People love to have an icon, someone to look up to, whether it’s beauty, fitness or simply possessions. However, with the glamour, family connection and side-game fun come the certain self-doubts, and possible worse off well-being that is alluded to in, “Facebook Use Predicts Declines in Subjective Well-Being in Young Adults,” by Ethan Kross. How does Facebook usage influence subjective well-being over time? Kross and his team addressed this issue by using experience-sampling, the most reliable method for measuring in-vivo behavior and psychological experience over time. (2013) 82 people were exposed to a series of phases to help better their understanding of the psyche of social media usage. Although the tests show that Facebook does decline average life enjoyment, they also revealed that direct social interaction did not make it anymore or any less likely that the public would use Facebook. Ethan Kross, the first to do a study such as this on Facebook, had a hunch going in, “On the surface, Facebook provides an invaluable resource of fulfilling the basic human need for social connection. Rather than enhancing well-being, however, these findings suggest that Facebook may undermine it,” (2013). Each of Kross’ statements supports the idea that Facebook declines overall well-being and that the procedure to seek the truth is too difficult a task to perform. He believes that the need for social connection is prominent and people benefit from these connections, but he sees a downside. The “offline” social network can truly benefit ones overall well-being, studies show. However, the results from this experiment show that this interaction with Facebook may undermine their future well-being.

A user generally would not consider that their own personal well-being is effected. To most people, Facebook is simply an escape. The notion that it either helps or hurts the person using, is not something that crosses the average person’s mind. With all things, come an exception, there are those using it in a negative manner; “CatFishing” and scams along with fraud are going to be a part of any media this size. It is not a natural thought to believe that the person you are connecting with may not be real. The assurances of likes, the inclusion of groups, and the easy-access entry into other individuals, sometimes even famous individuals, is too much to pass up for the generation of today. It allows windows to open for predators to slide in. Facebook is simply the millennial generation’s most abundant form of friendship.