Posted on 01/27/2013 6:18:24 PM PST by Sir Napsalot
(Reuters) - Witnessing friends' vacations, love lives and work successes on Facebook can cause envy and trigger feelings of misery and loneliness, according to German researchers.
A study conducted jointly by two German universities found rampant envy on Facebook, the world's largest social network that now has over one billion users and has produced an unprecedented platform for social comparison.
The researchers found that one in three people felt worse after visiting the site and more dissatisfied with their lives, while people who browsed without contributing were affected the most.
"We were surprised by how many people have a negative experience from Facebook with envy leaving them feeling lonely, frustrated or angry," researcher Hanna Krasnova from the Institute of Information Systems at Berlin's Humboldt University told Reuters.
"From our observations some of these people will then leave Facebook or at least reduce their use of the site," said Krasnova, adding to speculation that Facebook could be reaching saturation point in some markets.
Researchers from Humboldt University and from Darmstadt's Technical University found vacation photos were the biggest cause of resentment with more than half of envy incidents triggered by holiday snaps on Facebook.
Social interaction was the second most common cause of envy as users could compare how many birthday greetings they received to those of their Facebook friends and how many "likes" or comments were made on photos and postings.
"Passive following triggers invidious emotions, with users mainly envying happiness of others, the way others spend their vacations and socialize," the researchers said in the report "Envy on Facebook: A Hidden Threat to Users' Life Satisfaction?" released on Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
I respond to friends vacationing in Europe not to tell the entire world you’re not at home at the moment!
>>What’s Facebook?<<
A place where people tell each other the nature and venues of their bowl movements.
This is accompanied by something called “tweeter” or something like that where such information is conveyed in real time along with GPS coordinates.
It seemed to work pretty well for Baraq.
Nope. I had an account for about a week to see what it was, and, after confirming my suspicion that it was a giant waste of time, I deleted it.
“It seemed to work pretty well for Baraq.”
If it’s used by his voters that proves it’s stupid!
AAHH..No.
Yeah posting personal inane actions on the Internet is rather a giant waste of time.
I see what you did there.
Its lack of popularity certainly proves your point.
Our preacher was talking about some study, retreat or something. And about how important it is to join in stuff like that to share your faith and your lives. “And you know - your REAL life. Not your Facebook life.”
The same person got me to join Facebook also got me to join here.
The old friend that is currently traveling in the south pacific and posting pictures is also sharing her progress with breast cancer. She has a friend caring for her dogs while she is gone. She has also posted pictures of her dogs. No one is breaking into her house while she is gone.
I use facebook to post negative articles and other nasty information about Dear Leader. I do my best to get the majority of my family and freinds to “unfriend” me, but they just hang in there. I’m very careful about posting only that information which is verifiably correct, and I explain how each report and story will directly affect them, in a personal way. Some of the younger nephews/neices have started to chime in with questions. It’s a start.
I’m with ya on that.
Why would I be envious of my friends? I don’t have non-friends on FB, so when I see them going on some nice vacation I am happy for them. Usually they go someplace I wouldn’t because it is not my cup of tea.
No Myface for me.
Hi Gramma
I have GOT to SAVE that!!! I’ve seen it before but keep forgetting to. :)
Hey! Hi there, al. Baby! :)
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