A Stanford University study paid over 35,000 people to deactivate either Instagram or Facebook for 6 weeks.
They were measurably happier, less anxious, and less depressed.
• Facebook users saw a 6% improvement in emotional well-being
• Instagram users saw a 4% improvement
The researchers found that:
• Quitting Facebook was 15% as effective as therapy
• Quitting Instagram: 22% as effective
• Both eliminated over half of this election-related stress.
These people didn’t stop using their phones.
They just switched to other apps.
Instagram users shifted almost all their time to other apps.
Facebook users only spent 9 minutes less on their phones per day.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
