Social media and materialism: a bad combo
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms continuously expose us to material possessions and lavish lifestyles. They are breeding grounds for comparison, ramping up the pressure to conform to principles of success and wealth. This 24/7 exposure can have detrimental effects on people’s mental well-being. According to findings published in the journal ‘Telematics and Informatics Reports’(opens in new window), feelings of inadequacy, stress, anxiety or unhappiness with their own lives may likely surface, particularly for those who place more importance on material things.
Materialistic mindsets beware
A research team from Germany’s Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) carried out an online survey involving 1 230 people who used social media at least once a week. Through six different questionnaires, results showed that the individuals’ materialistic attitude, comparison with others, active or passive use of social media, addiction to social media, as well as stress and life satisfaction levels were all interconnected. “Overall, the study provides further evidence that the use of social media is associated with risks, especially for people with a highly materialistic mindset,” commented Dr Phillip Ozimek, a psychologist at RUB who led the research, in a press release(opens in new window). “The data showed that a stronger materialistic approach goes hand in hand with a tendency to compare oneself with others,” he explained. “By this we mean, for example, that users are constantly thinking about the respective channels and fear that they are missing out on something if they are not online.” In addition, results revealed a connection between passive social media use (content posted by other users) and addiction. Users who scroll without actively engaging or interacting have higher chances of forming addictive behaviours.
Living in a material world
Dr Ozimek offers some practical advice for navigating the curated materialistic content on social media. “It’s definitely a good idea to be aware of the amount of time you spend on social media and to reduce it.” He also cautions against quitting social media. “If you did, you’re likely to overcompensate.” “Social media is one of six stepping stones to unhappiness,” he concludes. Whatever the case may be, let’s use it wisely and in moderation to avoid disconnecting from reality. This shouldn’t be difficult to do if we prioritise our own happiness and seek fulfilment beyond material possessions.