Impact of Internet Use on Well-being
A large international study by the University of Oxford found that people with access to the internet scored 8% higher in measures of well-being compared to those without access. The positive correlation between well-being and internet use was consistent across various models used in the analysis.
Key Points
- Positive correlation found between well-being and internet use
- Researchers examined 16 years of data from 2.4 million people across 168 countries
- Results challenge previous concerns about internet use
Pros
- People with access to the internet reported greater life satisfaction, positive experiences, and social life satisfaction.
- They also reported lower scores in negative experiences compared to individuals without access.
Cons
- Years of concern over potential harms of internet use have been contradicted by the study's findings.