A recent study finds an association between elevated inflammation and a greater tendency to prefer social media interactions instead of meeting people face-to-face. Led by an associate professor at the University at Buffalo, the work appears in Scientific Reports and uses the blood biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) to measure inflammation.
The study enrolled 154 participants. Each completed a personality and social media questionnaire while a trained assistant collected blood samples for CRP measurement. Over one week, researchers retrieved screen time data from participants’ phones to record time spent on five social media platforms.
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Twitter/X
Higher CRP levels correlated with a stronger tendency to use social media for social contact, and the pattern was more pronounced among people with introverted or neurotic personality traits. The lead researcher explains the link is context-dependent: social media can demand less effort than face-to-face interaction, so it may appeal to people who feel less able to engage in person. He cautions that replacing in-person contact with digital socializing can harm relational and personal well-being for some individuals. The study’s goal is to identify vulnerable populations so clinicians and researchers can better understand who prefers digital socializing and why. As a next step, the team will explore whether similar patterns apply to other social technologies, including AI companion apps such as ChatGPT and Character.AI.
Difficult words
- inflammation — body's immune response causing swelling or pain
- biomarker — a measurable sign in the body
- C-reactive protein — a blood protein used to measure inflammationCRP
- correlate — show a relationship with something elsecorrelated
- introverted — tending to prefer small groups or solitude
- neurotic — having emotional instability and negative feelings
- vulnerable — likely to be harmed or affected easily
- context-dependent — changing meaning depending on the situation
- clinician — a health professional who treats patientsclinicians
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why might social media feel easier than face-to-face interaction for people with higher inflammation or certain personality traits? Give examples.
- What are possible benefits and harms of replacing in-person contact with digital socializing for individuals and relationships?
- How could clinicians or researchers use these findings to help people who prefer digital socializing?
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