Spending Less Time on Social Media in 2017 Could Help Lower Anxiety and Depression.

Spending less time on social media this year may help curb anxiety and depression. Last March, scientists found that using multiple social media platforms could be emotionally and mentally harmful to adults. A 2015 survey found that 65 percent of Americans use social media networks like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram several times a day.

The study's results were featured in "Computers in Human Behavior," an academic journal that examines the relationship between humans and computers. Research was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health in 2014.

Scientists discovered an alarming trend -- people who reported using seven to 11 social media sites were more than three times as likely to experience depression and anxiety than those who used zero to two different platforms.

And millennials use more social media platforms than they realize.
"This association is strong enough that clinicians could consider asking their patients with depression and anxiety about multiple platform use and counseling them that this use may be related to their symptoms," said lead physician Brian A. Primack, Ph.D. "While we can't tell from this study whether depressed and anxious people seek out multiple platforms or whether something about using multiple platforms can lead to depression and anxiety, in either case the results are potentially valuable."

Researchers sampled 1,787 adults aged 19-32. They were asked whether or not they used the 11 most popular social media platforms -- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Reddit, YouTube, Google Plus, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine and Pinterest. Their depression levels were measured using an assessment tool.

Scientists also considered influencing issues like race, gender, relationship status, income, education and time spent on social media.

"It may be that people who suffer from symptoms of depression or anxiety, or both, tend to subsequently use a broader range of social media outlets," Primack explained. "However, it could also be that trying to maintain a presence on multiple platforms may actually lead to depression and anxiety. More research will be needed to tease that apart."

This doesn't mean you should delete all your social media accounts and resolve to live completely Facebook-free. However, is time spent scrolling through Instagram photos or Snapchat stories truly productive? If not, set aside just a few minutes a day to check a one or two social media platforms. We promise you won't miss anything.