Study Finds Older Men Most Affected by Social Media

SAN ANGELO, TX - A recent study by Origins Texas Recovery has found that older men are more likely to experience negative mental health impacts from social media than other demographics.

The research, which analyzed YouGov survey data and Pew Research Center findings, identified older men as the group most affected, with nearly one-third (31%) reporting that social media has a broadly negative effect on their mental health.

In comparison, 26% of women reported similar negative impacts, though younger users, particularly Generation Z, were more likely to say social media positively influenced their mental wellbeing. Among Generation X, 34% said social media negatively impacted their mental health, with Baby Boomers following at 27%. In contrast, 39% of Generation Z respondents reported a positive impact, compared to only 24% who felt a negative influence.

The study suggests that older men, who typically use platforms like Facebook and YouTube, may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of heavily edited or AI-generated content. According to the report, these platforms allow content to be filtered and manipulated, distorting perceptions of normalcy. In contrast, younger users gravitate towards newer platforms like BeReal, which emphasize authenticity and unfiltered content.

A spokesperson from Origins Texas Recovery commented, “Older users may find their body image and self-worth negatively impacted when exposed primarily to edited photos. This can distort their perception of ‘normal,’ especially without the balance of unedited, real-life content.”

The study also highlighted the difference in platform preferences between genders. Men are more likely to use LinkedIn, Reddit, and Twitter (X), where they may be exposed to political content and disinformation. Women, meanwhile, are significantly more likely to use Pinterest and platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and BeReal.

Mental health experts advise users to take steps to protect their well-being online, such as using “not interested” features, limiting screen time, and deactivating accounts if necessary. For those experiencing distress, they recommend reaching out to loved ones or seeking professional help.

The findings were based on surveys conducted by YouGov and the Pew Research Center, with over 5,700 U.S. adults participating in the research.

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