New Study Links Excessive Social Media Use to Poor Physical Health

A new study has shown that college students who “excessively” use social media had higher blood protein levels that indicate chronic inflammation. 

The study examined 251 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 24. The participants who frequented social media more had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. CRP can be used to predict cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The results of the study, which was published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, were collected by questioning the participants and blood samples. Researchers expected a negative association between health and social media use. Still, they were surprised by the discovery that it showed up in bloodwork. 

The study also found that people who were more active on social media had more frequent headaches, doctor visits, and chest and back pains. 

Dr. David Lee, the lead author of the paper and assistant professor at the University of Buffalo, told Insider that the study doesn’t prove social media is bad. Instead, the adverse effects are more likely due to “why” people use it, “how” people are using it, and “who” uses it. 

“However, there is an undeniable link between mental health and physical health,” Lee said. “So we should start paying attention to the possibility that some of the earlier research on social media use and mental health may give us clues for potential physical health effects.”