A recent study found that materialism is rampant on social media and is having a negative effect on many users.
The researchers define materialism as the importance people attach to worldly possessions.
As the report about this study puts it, Facebook and Instagram have become breeding grounds for showing off.
The report says as users constantly comparing their lives with others, showcasing clothes, cars, and luxurious lifestyles, they can fall into a trap of materialistic desire.
And that higher levels of materialism lead to a relentless pursuit for more, igniting a cycle of lower life satisfaction, increased stress symptoms, and a higher risk of addiction to social media.
The study’s researcher say the pursuit of material wealth, when displayed on social media, can have detrimental effects on mental health.
When you think about it, this study is probably not that big a surprise.
Not only do you see on these social media sites posts about boasting about this or that, but also the ads and sponsored messages that pop up endlessly that can add fuel to materialistic desires.
At the very least this new study on social media and materialism is something to think about as we scroll down our feeds each day.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images