University Study Reveals Age Differences In Response To Social Media Negativity
A recent study from the University of Warwick highlights how age influences emotional responses to negative social media interactions. This research, led by Yuetong Ai, a psychology undergraduate, indicates that older adults tend to be less emotionally impacted by negative comments online compared to younger individuals.
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, involved 128 participants aged 18 to 73, who shared posts on a simulated online forum. They received various types of feedback—negative, neutral, or positive—crafted for the research. Researchers then assessed changes in the participants' mood and anxiety levels.
Findings reveal that negative social media comments universally increased anxiety and unpleasant moods. However, younger adults exhibited more significant emotional distress than their older counterparts. Interestingly, gender played a smaller role than anticipated, with men across all ages reporting slightly higher anxiety levels in response to negative feedback.
Yuetong Ai initiated this study after noticing the impact of negative comments on her mood while using TikTok. Her curiosity led her to explore existing research, uncovering a gap regarding how adults, beyond adolescents, are affected by online negativity. Her findings suggest that while younger adults mirror adolescents in their vulnerability to social media stress, older adults show more resilience.
Dr. Adrian von Muhlenen, Yuetong's supervisor, praised the research as a significant achievement, especially for an undergraduate. The publication in a prestigious journal underscores the importance of the University's Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS), which offers students like Yuetong the chance to conduct meaningful research.
This study not only enriches our understanding of cyberbullying's impact on mental health across different age groups but also emphasizes the need for strategies to manage online negativity. By raising awareness, the research hopes to inspire protective measures for all age demographics.