A recent study by researchers at Oxford and Tilburg Universities has shown that daily access to the Internet can create a feeling of comfort comparable to a walk in the park. According to the data, people with access to the Internet are 8% more satisfied with their lives compared to those without. However, women aged 15 to 24 who used the Internet were less satisfied.
The study, published in the journal Nature, is the first of its kind to address the relationship between internet access and well-being on a large scale, analyzing data from 2,414,294 people in 168 countries.
The researchers drew on the Gallup World Poll conducted between 2006 and 2021, asking respondents about their internet access and use at home and on mobile devices. The results indicated that 84.9% of internet users reported higher levels of satisfaction in various aspects of their lives, such as life satisfaction, social relationships, and physical well-being.
However, the study also highlights that young women who use the internet are less happy, which is in line with other reports that point to an increase in cyberbullying and a link between social media use and depressive symptoms in this group. Andrea Vizcaíno Cuenca, psychologist and CEO of Policlínica Maio, argues that social media encourages social comparison and exposure to unrealistic beauty standards, which contributes to lower self-esteem and emotional well-being among young women.
A serious problem
The report highlights that cyberbullying is a serious problem that disproportionately affects young women, with 3% of 15-year-old girls in Spain reporting frequent bullying at school. This phenomenon can have devastating effects on mental health, increasing levels of anxiety and depression, and contributing to a negative perception of community well-being.
Despite the benefits reported by the use of the Internet, experts such as health psychologist José Antonio Tamayo question the study methods, pointing out possible biases and the lack of psychometric validation of the survey used. Tamayo also suggests that other factors, such as income level, could influence the relationship between internet use and well-being.
Internet use is almost universal among 16- to 24-year-olds in Spain, with 99.9% of men and 99.7% of women using the network, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). To improve the digital experience, experts recommend healthy and conscious use of technologies, as well as measures to combat cyberbullying and support mental health, especially among young women. @mundiario
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