Social network engagement and subjective well-being: a life-course perspective

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Digital Media Studies

Background:

• Social networking is a global digital phenomenon with billions of users.
• Online social platforms offer benefits like enhanced social connectedness and social capital.
• However, social networking is also linked to negative behaviors and impacts on well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore social networking use and its relationship with subjective well-being.
• To apply a life-course perspective to understand these associations across different age groups.
• To identify factors influencing the impact of social networking on well-being.

Main Methods:

• Utilized large-scale UK panel data from the Understanding Society study (Waves 3 and 6).
• Employed statistical analyses including probit, multinomial logistic regression, ANCOVA, and change-score estimations.
• Examined associations between social network membership/usage and measures of subjective well-being.

Main Results:

• Social network users are generally younger (under 25), but usage is increasing across all age groups.
• Membership and greater use of social networks correlate with higher overall life satisfaction.
• Heavy social networking site (SNS) use is associated with reduced subjective well-being, especially among disadvantaged young individuals.

Conclusions:

• Social networking can positively influence life satisfaction.
• Excessive use of social networking sites poses risks to subjective well-being.
• Socio-economic disadvantage can exacerbate the negative impacts of heavy SNS use, particularly for specific demographics.