The Effect of Socially Oriented Internet Use on Subjective Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Social Support

• In Event: Social Support via Social Media #1

Abstract

Considering the ubiquity of Internet use for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, it is of crucial importance to explore the effects of different socially-oriented Internet uses on individual well-being. In the present study, using a 2-Wave survey of college students, we investigated the effects of using instant messaging (IM), social networking sites (SNS), Twitter, sharing photos and videos, and participating in discussion boards on subjective well-being. Additionally, we investigated whether social support was a moderator of the effect of Internet use on subjective well-being. We found that using IM and Twitter was beneficial to one’s well-being only for those with high levels of social support. Checking and updating SNS profiles increased well-being over time, regardless of the level of social support. Lastly, sharing photos and videos online as well as posting messages on discussion boards decreased well-being over time.

Authors

• Macarena Pena-y-Lillo, U of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

• Ningxin Wang, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Chul-joo Lee, Seoul National University