Social media has become an indispensable part of modern life, and the applications of mobile phones, social media, and the internet have surrounded people’s daily lives. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have shaped the ways people communicate with each other, share information, and obtain information. However, its impact on people’s sense of happiness remains a controversial issue. Supporters emphasize its role in promoting community building and driving activism, while critics point out problems such as addictive design, data abuse, and harmful content. This blog argues that even though social media provides opportunities for people to connect and support each other, its design, business model, and hosted content often harm users’ sense of happiness because it encourages addictive behaviors, exploits user data, and promotes the spread of harmful content.
Social media platforms are meticulously designed to maximize user engagement, but often at the expense of users’ physical and mental health. Features such as endless scrolling and autoplay videos, described by Alter (2017) as “highly attractive” design elements, exploit people’s psychological weaknesses to keep them on the platform for extended periods. These interfaces form a cycle of compulsive use, with intermittent rewards such as likes, comments, and shares triggering the release of dopamine, similar to a gambling mechanism (Alter, 2017). Notifications further exacerbate this situation, as they trigger “fear of missing out” (FOMO), which Puzibelski et al. (2013) have linked to anxiety and reduced life satisfaction.
Algorithmic content filtering, while enhancing user experience, often tends to present eye-catching content. Bakshi et al. (2015) found that Facebook’s news feed algorithm amplifies content with political polarization tendencies, thereby forming an information loop. Such design choices may make users more extreme, just as the recommendation system of YouTube promotes extreme content (Ribeiro et al., 2020). On the contrary, the platform also has positive design elements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, functions such as Facebook groups and Zoom meetings facilitated the establishment of virtual support networks, alleviating feelings of isolation (Niggendorf et al., 2021). These examples indicate that design can both harm and enhance happiness, depending on how it is implemented.
The advertising-based revenue model adopted by most social media platforms places more emphasis on user interaction rather than the users’ own interests. As Zoff (2019) pointed out, surveillance capitalism refers to the promotion of targeted advertising by obtaining user data and commodifying attention. This model prompts platforms to collect a large amount of personal data, raising concerns about privacy. The Cambridge Analytica scandal well illustrates how data abuse can manipulate public opinion and undermine trust (Torro et al., 2015).To maintain profitability, platforms adopt intrusive data collection practices, tracking users’ clicks, scrolling, location, and even biometric data (such as facial recognition on Meta platforms), to build detailed behavioral profiles. These profiles make it possible for highly precise targeted advertising, which exploits psychological vulnerabilities. For example, the algorithm of Instagram has been proven to push content related to dieting or plastic surgery to users who exhibit body image anxiety, thereby exacerbating unhealthy eating behaviors (Fadoul et al., 2015). Similarly, TikTok’s “For You Page” uses machine learning technology to identify emotional triggers in users, such as political anger or body dissatisfaction, and pushes content that can maximize the user’s stay time on the app (O’Neill, 2016). This “attention economy” commodifies human experience and treats users not as stakeholders but as data points to be mined and monetized.
While platforms claim to offer “free” services, the true cost is borne by users in the form of mental health harms. Studies link prolonged social media use to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, particularly among adolescents (Primack et al., 2017). The ad model exacerbates these issues by promoting comparison culture: users are bombarded with curated, idealized images (e.g., influencers, travel photos) that fuel social comparison and self-esteem issues (Verduyn et al., 2017). For example, Meta’s internal research found that 32% of teen girls felt Instagram worsened their body image, with many blaming ads promoting unrealistic beauty standards (Wells et al., 2021).
The content on social media reflects its dual impact. Harmful behaviors such as cyberbullying and false information spread freely in an unregulated environment. Instagram’s emphasis on visual aesthetics is related to the body image problems of young women. Research by Fadoulour et al. (2015) shows that exposure to idealized images is associated with an increase in body dissatisfaction. Similarly, the spread of anti-vaccine false information on Twitter and Facebook has undermined public health efforts (Broniatowski et al., 2018).
On the contrary, social media can promote positive movements and build support groups. For instance, the “#MeToo” movement and the climate protection action movement demonstrate its powerful ability to amplify marginalized voices. The mental health community on Reddit provides anonymous support, thereby reducing stigmatization (Dejoudel et al., 2016). Wellduin et al. (2017) pointed out that positive interactive behaviors, such as direct message exchanges, can enhance happiness, while passive browsing often leads to feelings of jealousy and loneliness. Therefore, the impact of content depends on the user’s interaction and the responsibility of the platform.
The impact of social media on people’s sense of happiness depends on its design, business model and content. Although features such as support groups and action tools bring tangible benefits, its addictive design, excessive data utilization and the widespread dissemination of harmful content often overshadow these positive aspects. To address these issues, systematic changes are needed, including adopting ethical design methods, strengthening regulation and diversifying profit models. Users must also cultivate cautious participation methods, combining consumption with critical awareness. Ultimately, only when platforms prioritize human well-being over profit can the positive effects of social media be realized.
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