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The effect of deactivating Facebook and Instagram on users' emotional state

(www.nber.org)
506 points imakwana | 2 comments | 21 Apr 25 04:24 UTC | HN request time: 0.634s | source
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sneak ◴[21 Apr 25 05:28 UTC] No.43748726[source]▶
If people didn’t like the way these apps make them feel, they would stop using them.

Many people prefer having anxiety about drama to being bored.

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1. safety1st ◴[21 Apr 25 05:33 UTC] No.43748742[source]▶
That is not the only possible explanation. A more likely explanation imho is that social media falls into the long list of things you do for a short term reward even though you know you shouldn't, like smoking a cigarette or getting drunk.

You know it is not good for you but your executive function and ability to plan long term are compromised (whether chronically or acutely), so you do it anyway, and regret it later.

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2. sneak ◴[21 Apr 25 06:55 UTC] No.43749076[source]▶
Some people regret it. Some people prefer a marshmallow now to two tomorrow.