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Feeling anxious? Social media
might be to blame

The impact of social media on teens has sparked global conversations. New studies, however, indicate that it’s not just teens who experience the consequences of use. It’s the entire human race.

New studies on the physiological effects of Instagram indicate that the platform takes its toll on the body.

The findings, published in Computers in Human Behavior, show physical responses akin to addiction.

During platform use, study participants exhibited decreased heart rates and increased skin conductance, signaling deep attentional immersion and heightened arousal.

When participants stopped using the platform, their heart rate and stress indicators spiked and they reported anxiety and social media cravings. The same indicators were found in both regular and problematic users, challenging the notion that such responses are exclusive to people with compulsive social media behaviors.

The study highlights neurophysiological impacts of social media interactions and the potential stress of disengagement.

More like this: Staying cyber safe

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Understanding problematic
gaming

A group of researchers from the IT-University of Copenhagen recently interviewed self-identified problematic gamers.

The team used Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a psychological concept that explores how self-determination impacts motivation, and concluded that individuals lacking autonomy, competence and relatedness – all elements of intrinsic motivation – are more inclined to experience distress.

The study calls into question the notion that high gaming consumption leads to negative outcomes, but rather the gaming fulfilled psychological needs.
The study also suggests that an awareness of personal motivation may be the key to healthy online gaming.

The research highlights the need for continued conversation and exploration around gaming disorders rather than blanketly classifying gaming as problematic.

The study was published in Computers in Human Behavior.

More like this: Tech conceived during the pandemic aims to calm a post-COVID world

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Loot box longing

As desperate kids beg mom and dad for the money to buy the sale-of-the-moment grab bag on the Roblox platform, thinking it’s all in fun — the latest research suggests they should think otherwise.

Loot boxes in the online gaming world are virtual surprise boxes a player can purchase full of random items like outfits, weapons or different abilities, for the chance at winning a special item. These boxes offer no guarantee and often contain nothing overly special.

A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior of 1,416 adults, finds strong connections between loot box buying, gambling problems and mental health issues. It also links loot box disbursements and mental health conditions like impulsivity, stress, anxiety and depression.

Most notably, the findings suggest anxiety and impulsivity greatly increase the relationship between loot box buying and gambling symptoms and those with depression showed more intense connections between loot box purchasing and problematic gambling.

“The present study contributes to a better understanding of LB (loot box) buying and its potential similarities to other behavioral addictions such as those to gambling or online gaming,” the team finds, “Considering loot box regulation, it is important to understand the effects of opening/purchasing loot boxes on mental health and vice versa, especially among more vulnerable populations and at-risk users,” they warn.

“There are currently no rules and regulations to stop children from purchasing loot boxes, however, the government is expected to review the current Gambling Act,” says the NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), the UK’s leading children’s charity founded in 1883.