As the popularity of Facebook Inc continues to grow, Facebook users are spending more hours every day browsing their newsfeeds. While the climbing amount of time spent on Facebook is a good thing for the company’s advertising revenue and shareholders, many Facebook users are experiencing some negative emotional ramifications from their Facebook-ing.

Facebook Depression

Just last month, researchers at the University of Houston and Palo Alto University published two studies showing an association between Facebook use and depressive symptoms. The latest evidence seems to confirm evidence found in previous studies linking mild depressive symptoms with Facebook usage, including a 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics study.

Why Is Facebook Depressing?

According to Dr. James Hamblin, the underlying psychological principles behind Facebook depression relate to Leon Festinger’s social-comparison theory, introduced in the 1950’s. The basis of social comparison theory is that people tend to judge their own self-worth by comparing themselves to other people. This tendency can be particularly dangerous on Facebook, where users tend to exaggerate their accomplishments and hide their flaws. “Research has since found that making social comparisons, especially ‘upward’ comparisons (to people we deem above us, to whom we feel inferior, for whatever reason) are associated with negative health outcomes like depressive symptoms and decreased self-esteem,”

How To Avoid Facebook Depression

It’s important for Facebook users (and shareholders) to understand that there is nothing inherently depressing about the social media platform. Social-comparison theory is a basic part of human nature, and Facebook is simply a major medium for modern social interaction. Rather than swearing off Facebook, users should remember exactly what they are seeing when they feel symptoms of depression from browsing Facebook. Facebook profiles are often carefully-crafted representations of the best possible version of people’s lives, with all the problems, flaws and shameful aspects carefully edited out. Aspiring to have the “perfect” Facebook life, full of babies, engagement rings, graduations, new jobs and promotions without any signs of frustration, failures, heartbreak or regret is an unrealistic goal. Facebook users that find themselves feeling symptoms of depression should remember that, if all the imperfections and shortcomings are hidden away, almost everyone’s life starts to look a lot better.
This article first appeared Benzinga, 24 May 2015.