Scientists have found that students who cut social media use to 30 minutes per day can see significant reduction in anxiety, depression, and loneliness, an advance that can lead to better mental health interventions. A growing body of research in recent years has shown that an increase in social media use among young people is linked to their declining mental health. Researchers at Iowa State University assessed this link further in a two-week experiment with 230 college students. Half of the participants were asked to limit their social media usage to 30 minutes a day, and received automated, daily reminders. The study, published in the journal Technology, Mind, and Behavior, found that this group of participants scored significantly lower for anxiety, depression, loneliness and fear of missing out at the end of the experiment compared to the control group. These participants also appeared to have a brighter outlook on life, scoring higher for “positive affect,” which the researchers describe as “the tendency to experience positive emotions described with words such as ‘excited’ and ‘proud.’” “It surprised me to find that participants’ well-being did not only improve in one dimension but in all of them. I was excited to learn that such a simple intervention of sending a daily reminder can motivate people to change their behavior and improve their social media habits,” study co-author Ella Faulhaber said. The psychological benefits from cutting back on social media was found to extend even to participants who sometimes exceeded the 30-minute time limit. Scientists suggest it is not about being perfect, but putting in the effort that makes the difference. While previous research has assessed the effects of limiting or abstaining from social media, many of the interventions recommended in these studies require heavy supervision and deleting apps or using special applications to block or limit social media use. “When a perceived freedom is taken away, we start resisting,” says Douglas A. Gentile, another author of the study, who adds that eliminating social media completely may take away some of its benefits like connecting with friends and family. For those looking to cut back on social media use, scientists recommend setting a timer to see how much time one spends on social media. “Recognize that it’s not easy to stick to a time limit. Social media apps are designed to keep you engaged,” researchers said in a statement. However, they urge people not to give up as limiting social media use over time has real benefits for daily life. “We live in an age of anxiety. Lots of indicators show that anxiety, depression, loneliness are all getting worse, and that can make us feel helpless. But there are things we can do to manage our mental health and well-being,” Dr Gentile said. Read More TikTok allowed millions of people to see Canadian ‘helicopter’ wildfire conspiracies Reddit hit by outage as fight over its future escalates Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp all stop working Is your WhatsApp group making you anxious? Don’t worry – you’re not alone From a post-truth world to a post-trust world Why suicides among young women are rising at the fastest rate ever

Former Vice President Mike Pence is expected to announce his campaign for 2024 president next Wednesday, according to reports. Mr Pence, 63, will make the official announcement on 7 June just before his town hall with CNN in Des Moines, Iowa, a source told NBC News. For months, speculation has circulated that the former vice president was planning on joining the already-packed race for the White House. When Mr Pence announces, he will be joining his old boss, and the former president, Donald Trump along with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and other GOP candidates. According to sources, Mr Pence will be spending much of his campaign in Iowa before the caucuses, spending time in all 99 counties. The former vice president will likely have a lot of explaining to do to voters who tried to re-elect Mr Trump and Mr Pence in 2020. Not only did Mr Pence allow for the certification of 2020 election results on 6 January 2021 but he denounced Mr Trump’s actions, driving a rift between the two. Mr Pence served as vice president under Mr Trump from 2017 until 2021. He was also governor of Indiana from 2013 until 2017 as well as a representative for Indiana from 2001 until 2013. More follows Read More Who is running for president in 2024? DeSantis looks to connect with voters during 1st full day of campaigning in Iowa Trump's welcome of Scott into 2024 race shows his calculus: The more GOP rivals, the better for him

Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with both bat and ball as Bangladesh launched their World Cup campaign with a dominant six-wicket win over...

After an unfortunate camp injury, the Cowboys are under even more pressure to extend disgruntled guard Zack Martin before the 2023 season.What could be worse than a very public contract dispute with a star player for the Cowboys right now? A training camp injury.In the Cowboys' final pr...

Rodney and Elaine Helman were shot and killed by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers during a hostage incident

AVIGNON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

Players and coaches across the top men's soccer league in Italy have had red marks painted on their faces to promote a campaign for the elimination of violence against women

Yields on the 10-year US government bond are flirting with a 15-year high this week, amid growing fears that strong growth and low unemployment could keep...

Dutch brewing giant Heineken said Wednesday that it sold less beer in the third quarter, noting that higher prices and the poor economic...

Rescuers will make sure no-one is left beneath the rubble, vows a top official in the city of Douala.

The idea that banks are too big to fail needs to be reviewed in the wake of the

Andrew Tate was dissed by his followers for choosing to sleep with with a transwoman