In our previous survey on how people engage with digital content, we found that 84.42% of our participants were always on social media, and this stat will continue to grow. But, this raises the question of how it affects their mental well-being in the long run.
To uncover this, we recently conducted a new survey:
- With 244 working professionals from the MENA region.
- Using a combination of different questions types, such as Likert and rating scales, single and multi-choice questions, as well as open questions, to gather unbiased insights.
- With an aim to find out how daily social media habits affect mental well-being and the factors that drive increased platform usage.
In this article, we will share the key findings of our survey and discuss what they reveal about the evolving role of social media in influencing mental health.
Key insights about our participants
To get reliable and unbiased data, we surveyed 244 participants from our UserQ panel and asked a total of 9 questions to identify the effects of social media on behaviour.
- 38% of our participants fell under the age group of 26 – 35, followed by 24% being 36 – 45.
- Over half of them (58.43%) held a bachelor’s degree.
- 52% were male, 41% were female, and the rest didn’t prefer to answer.
- 65% of our participants spend over 6 hours on social media.
- Most usage comes from smartphones, followed by desktops and other devices.
- More than 50% use digital content in the form of social media.
- Almost 72% are currently employed either in the private or public sector.
- 19% coming from an accounting professional background, 13% from IT, and 11% from consulting.
What did we ask in our survey?
According to UC Davis Health, a well-known healthcare institute in the U.S., the use of social media has seen symptoms of anxiety and depression among teens. It also concluded that excessive use of it releases dopamine, which can have adverse effects on people.
To get a better understanding of social media usage and its effect on the mood, here are some of the questions that we asked:
Which social media platforms do you use regularly?
This was a multiple-choice question, and our survey shows us the following social media usage trends:
- A whopping 91.39% of the participants were using Instagram.
- Facebook at 89.34%, taking the second spot.
- TikTok at 71.31%, taking the third spot.
What is your primary reason for using social media?
Asking this question helped us understand their behavioural patterns. Some may use it to express themselves, escape boredom, avoid loneliness, and for other reasons.
Here’s how our participants responded to this question:
- The top reason people use social media is to stay in touch with family and friends. This is understandable, as most people travel to the UAE or nearby GCC countries for work and are away from their homes.
- Followed by staying updated with the current affairs.
- And finally, for their entertainment.
How would you rate your overall social media experience?
When asked to rate their experience on the use of social media, here’s what we found:
- 43% of our participants were satisfied with their experience and have positively rated it 4 stars.
- When asked if social media makes them anxious. 27.05% were in favour of not being negatively affected by its use. However, only 13.13% have seen any such effect.
- On a positive note, we concluded that digital content did not negatively affect most of their self-esteem.
As mentioned earlier, the adverse effects are more prevalent among teenagers, who often experience FOMO (fear of missing out), leading to anxiety and heightened sensitivity about what they see or share on social media. In contrast, most of our participants were working adults, which may explain why they do not share the same concerns.
How concerned are you about the impact of social media on mental health?
Here’s where things get interesting. While we’ve seen a generally positive attitude towards social media so far, many participants expressed concerns about its long-term impact on their mental health.
- 60.25% of the participants marked themselves as concerned to be very concerned about the long-term effects of social media on mental health.
- The vast majority of the participants noticed a negative shift in mood when they spent prolonged hours on social media.
- 73.77% agreed that social media changes their perception of reality.
This data suggests that people often form opinions based on what they see online rather than on personal experience, which is concerning. In an era where AI is increasingly misused to create realistic digital content, this can fuel widespread misinformation and hate.
What are your views on social media and wellbeing?
Earlier, we discussed the effects of social media on behaviour and mental health, and now we want to understand what measures our participants take to maintain their digital well-being.
- 40.98% were likely to take frequent breaks from social media for their well-being and reduce their consumption of digital content.
- 37.07% found taking a break from social media as a detox method for their well-being.
- 22.95% of the participants found social media suitable for finding mental health resources.
- A vast majority said they find online communities to help support their mental health.
Please share any additional thoughts on the effects of social media on behaviour.
This was an open-ended question for participants to express their views on how social media and mental well-being correlate.
The key themes include:
- Negative effects: Many respondents reported experiencing anxiety, depression, FOMO (fear of missing out), addiction, unrealistic comparisons, and misinformation as major concerns. The constant exposure to curated content can create unrealistic expectations, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Moreover, excessive use has been linked to sleep disturbances, decreased attention spans, and increased stress levels.
- Positive effects: Some participants highlighted the significant benefits of social media, such as staying informed, finding emotional support, and accessing valuable educational resources. For many, social media serves as a tool for personal growth, professional networking, and community building. Digital platforms also offer opportunities for self-expression and the sharing of meaningful experiences.
- Self-control matters: A recurring point in the responses was that the impact of social media largely depends on how it is used. Mindful engagement and moderation can help users avoid negative consequences. Several participants mentioned setting time limits, curating their feeds, and practising digital detoxes as effective ways to maintain a healthy relationship with social media.
- Impact on kids: Concerns about children’s exposure to social media were frequently mentioned. The potential for addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content is a major worry for parents and educators. Many participants believe that stricter regulations, parental controls, and digital literacy programs are necessary to protect younger users from the adverse effects of social media.
- Emotional reactions to content: Social media has the power to amplify emotions, whether positive (inspiration, motivation, and connection) or negative (anger, sadness, and frustration). The emotional impact of online interactions and content consumption varies from person to person, with some finding it uplifting and others feeling overwhelmed. Participants emphasised the importance of filtering content, engaging with uplifting communities, and taking breaks when needed to maintain emotional balance.
Concluding our findings
While most participants enjoy their time online, use social media to stay connected, and do not report significant negative effects, there are growing concerns about its long-term impact. Many acknowledge that prolonged use can influence their mood, perception of reality, and overall well-being.
The data also suggests that responsible usage plays a key role in mitigating the negative effects. Many individuals take proactive steps, such as social media breaks and digital detoxes, to maintain a healthy balance.
As digital platforms continue to evolve, it is crucial to raise awareness about mindful consumption, promote digital well-being strategies, and encourage responsible social media use. By doing so, individuals can harness the benefits of social media while minimising its potential harm to mental health.
If you want to conduct extensive surveys like this, contact us at UserQ. We will help you conduct user testing and surveys to provide solutions to your user problems.
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