Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 2.8 billion active users as of October 2023. While Facebook has many benefits, such as allowing people to stay connected with friends and family and share life updates, excessive use can also lead to psychological issues. Some of the main psychological problems linked to overuse of Facebook include depression, anxiety, loneliness, envy, addiction, narcissism, and problems with attention and focus.
Depression
Several studies have found a correlation between high Facebook use and increased symptoms of depression. In one study involving 1,787 young adults, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found that the more time someone spent on social media, the more likely they were to be depressed. Those using social media more than 2 hours per day were 2.7 times more likely to be depressed than those who used it less than half an hour per day.
Some reasons why Facebook may contribute to depression include:
- Social comparison – Seeing posts from friends who appear to be leading happy, successful lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and lowered self-esteem.
- Negative social interactions – Arguments, bullying, and drama on Facebook can cause someone to feel sad, stressed, or rejected.
- Isolation – Excessive time spent interacting online versus face-to-face can increase feelings of loneliness and disconnection from others.
- Distorted views – People often only share their highlights on Facebook, which can give the impression that everyone else’s life is better.
- Rumination – Dwelling on negative comments, likes, or interactions on Facebook can lead to rumination and fixating on upsetting thoughts.
If symptoms of depression persist, it’s important to speak to a doctor or mental health professional and also evaluate how much time is being spent on Facebook and other social media.
Anxiety
Facebook use has also been associated with increased anxiety in some studies. A 2015 research paper found a positive correlation between time spent on Facebook and symptoms of anxiety in undergraduate students. Those who used Facebook longer were more likely to compare themselves negatively with others and have worries about social media interactions, two patterns linked to anxiety.
Other ways Facebook may provoke anxiety include:
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) from constantly seeing updates about social events or activities.
- Worry about receiving a negative comment or having an embarrassing post exposed publicly.
- Stress about maintaining an impressive image and keeping up appearances on social media.
- Obsession over social media metrics like friends/followers, likes, and comments.
- Feeling pressure to always be available and respond quickly online.
Anxious thoughts and feelings triggered by Facebook may be a sign that usage needs to be reduced. Talking to a mental health professional can also help find healthy ways to manage social media-related anxiety.
Loneliness
Although social media is meant to connect people, some research indicates that excessive Facebook usage is associated with increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
A study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Australian Catholic University found the following effects in high versus low Facebook users:
- Less feeling of having someone to talk to (40% vs. 25%)
- Less feeling of having people who really understand them (41% vs. 20%)
- More likely to feel isolated from others (47% vs. 28%)
Possible reasons why Facebook use can increase loneliness include:
- Replacing face-to-face social interaction with online communication.
- Comparing oneself negatively to the social lives of other people on Facebook.
- Feeling left out or excluded when seeing social events or activities not invited to.
- Receiving insufficient social affirmation in the form of likes/comments.
- Spending excessive time passively viewing others’ posts rather than interacting.
Those noticing increasing loneliness with high amounts of Facebook usage may want to try increasing real life social activities and connections.
Envy
With people often posting their life highlights and best moments on Facebook, it can be easy to start making social comparisons that lead to feelings of envy. Research has found that passive following of others and envy of their positive news on social media can reduce users’ own sense of well-being.
Seeing vacations, celebrations, relationships, accomplishments, or possessions other people have that you wish you had yourself can provoke envious feelings. These envy-triggering posts create a distorted view of how great other people’s lives are compared to your own.
Frequent feelings of envy from Facebook use may be a sign to stop comparing yourself to others online. Unfollowing accounts that regularly trigger envy can also help, or muting these people while remaining friends.
Addiction
With its endless scrolling feed and frequent notifications, Facebook provides a constant source of entertainment and social stimulation that can become addictive over time. Researchers have identified symptoms of Facebook addiction as including:
- Compulsive use and loss of sense of time spent on Facebook.
- Jeopardized work, relationships, or education due to excessive Facebook usage.
- Mental preoccupation with Facebook when not logged on.
- Using Facebook to cope with negative emotions or escape problems.
- Continued overuse despite attempts to cut back on time spent.
- Physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms when attempting abstinence.
Breaking a Facebook addiction requires reducing usage incrementally, finding alternative rewarding activities, and potentially seeking outside support.
Narcissism
Facebook provides endless opportunities to craft your public image through posts, photos, updates, and more. However, constantly trying to present an idealized or inflated image of oneself on social media can lead to narcissistic behavior and attitudes.
Studies have found a correlation between social media usage and higher narcissism levels. Facebook in particular has been linked to narcissism due to factors like:
- Public profile pages with ability to self-promote.
- Quantifiable popularity via friends/followers and likes.
- Curating positive self-image through selective posts and photos.
- Attention-seeking via status updates, selfies, and over-sharing.
Excessive narcissistic preoccupation on Facebook may indicate underlying mental health issues like low self-esteem or lack of identity. Seeking counseling can help identify the root causes driving narcissistic social media behavior.
Problems with Focus and Attention
The constant notifications and quick-check habit of scrolling Facebook can impair someone’s ability to focus and concentrate.
Researchers have found that high social media usage contributes to difficulties with:
- Maintaining attention and concentration.
- Working memory and information retention.
- Ignoring distractions and staying on task.
- Deep thinking and mental immersion.
These attention difficulties match up with the shorter time spans and quick shifts in focus that social media usage trains the brain for. Breaking the habit of compulsively checking notifications and limiting time on Facebook can help regain ability to focus for longer periods.
Conclusion
While Facebook has many upsides for connection and community, excessive use can contribute to psychological issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness, envy, addiction, narcissism, and attention difficulties. Monitoring time spent on Facebook, taking regular breaks from the platform, and supplementing online interaction with in-person social activities can help maintain a healthy balance and prevent these negative mental health outcomes. But seeking help from a mental health professional may be necessary if you or someone you know is seriously impacted. Overall, being aware of both the pros and cons of Facebook usage allows people to maximize its benefits while minimizing its potential harms.