A study conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute, one of the largest of its kind, claims there is no definitive evidence linking internet use to psychological harm. The study, led by Professors Andrew Przybylski and Matti Vuorre, analyzed data from two million people aged 15 to 89 in 168 countries. The researchers concluded that despite the increased online connectivity over the last two decades, there have only been minor shifts in global mental health.

The findings may seem surprising, considering the concerns about the negative impact of social media on mental health. However, the study acknowledges its limitations, stating that researchers lacked access to data from the platforms themselves. This limitation is highlighted by recent leaked internal reports from Meta (formerly Facebook), indicating that Instagram may exacerbate body image issues for one in three teen girls.

While the Oxford study challenges the widely held belief that internet use, especially on social media platforms, is harmful to mental health, it also recognizes the contested nature of research in this area. The study’s lead author, Professor Przybylski, has engaged in “unpaid consultations” with Meta, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.

The limitations of the study highlight the challenges in conducting research on the topic, particularly when researchers lack access to comprehensive and detailed data from the platforms themselves. Meta’s internal research, for example, allows the company to analyze users’ responses to mental health surveys in conjunction with their actual behavior on the platform, providing a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between internet use and mental health.