Danish research: Facebook makes users sad, depressed and lonely

Just a week without the social network leads to higher levels of well-being, shows an experiment

Lucie Rychla

Danes who stop using  Facebook for just a week are happier, less angry and less lonely than those who continue checking the social network as usual, reveals a new study by graduate student Morten Tromholt from the department of sociology at University of Copenhagen.

Tromholt recruited 1,095 people (via Facebook) to participate in his one-week experiment and randomly assigned them to either a treatment group (asked not to use Facebook) or control group (asked to continue using Facebook as usual).

At the end of the experiment, 86 percent of the participants in the treatment group said they managed to stay away from the social network for the whole week.

READ MORE: Denmark once again the happiest place on Earth

Negatively affecting well-being
Tromholt then compared the results of intro and post-tests in which he asked participants to evaluate various aspects of their life on a scale from 1 to 10.

“The predominant uses of Facebook – that is, as a means to communicate, gain information about others, and as a habitual pastime – are affecting our well-being negatively across several dimensions,” writes Tromholt in his article, which has been published in the magazine Cyberpsychology.

“The participants who took a one-week break from Facebook reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and a significantly improved emotional life.”

Before the study, the treatment group rated their ‘life satisfaction’ on average at 7.56 and after the study at 8.12, which was higher than in the control group, where the average rate was 7.75.

“The gain proved to be greatest for heavy Facebook users, users who passively use Facebook, and users who tend to envy others on Facebook,” explains Tromholt.

READ MORE: Hygge is ‘the link’ to Danish happiness, claims new book out today

Less depressed, more decisive
The study also found that fewer people felt angry, sad, depressed and lonely after a week without Facebook.

On the other hand, more of them felt more decisive and enthusiastic.

In Denmark, around two out of three internet users are registered on Facebook – approximately 2.9 million people. The number of members is expected to exceed 3 million in 2019.

Many of them check the social network daily or even several times a day.

 

 

TOP STORIES

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

  • Free to speak, free to expose: how corruption shapes media freedom

    Free to speak, free to expose: how corruption shapes media freedom

    In Denmark, journalism feels free — calm, almost unbothered, and independent. In Azerbaijan, it can cost journalists their freedom, as in the case of Avaz Zeynalli, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Xural, who is currently imprisoned on politically motivated charges

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs