Study Finds Internet Use in Over 50s Linked to Better Mental Wellbeing

A research paper recently published in Nature Human Behaviour has found that internet use has a positive association with mental well-being amongst adults aged 50 and over. This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan, low-population study, either: it was conducted across 23 countries and involved more than 87,000 participants, with groundbreaking findings challenging commonly-held beliefs that internet usage negatively affects mental health. This belief is not incorrect, but it generally applies to younger populations with experts agreeing that social media usage can severely impact developing brains. Mental health is incredibly complex, which is why both of these facts can be simultaneously true. Experts like those with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online know that life satisfaction and mental well-being can be a difficult field to traverse, with many competing factors making up an individual’s internal landscape. This article will explore how the study’s research was conducted, what research found, conclusions that can be drawn, and the complex landscape of social media.

Study Objectives and Methodology

The researchers sought to explore the relationship between internet usage and mental health amongst people aged 50 and above because they are a demographic often obfuscated in similar studies, and they are increasingly embracing digital technologies. The study pointed out that 14% of people aged 55 years or older experience mental disorders, and underlined its commitment to promote mental well-being in any way possible, particularly through public health policy related to their findings. 

Over a six-year time period, the study analyzed longitudinal survey data from a diverse range of countries, including the U.S., China, and the UK. Participants would self-report internet habits, ranging from email activity and general searches to online shopping. Researchers were interested in the correlation between these behaviors and indicators of mental well-being, like levels of depression and general life satisfaction.

Key Findings

Many institutions reacted positively to the findings that highlighted encouraging outcomes associated with internet use within the age group. Most importantly, those within the cohort who reported internet use also reported fewer depressive symptoms compared to their non-user counterparts. Regular online engagement was also linked to higher self-reported happiness and satisfaction with life, which was partially explained by the internet providing opportunities for social interaction. This attacks a critical public health issue affecting aging populations: loneliness. 

Beyond socializing, the internet also served as an important way for this population to access medical advice, emotional support, and book appointments. Interestingly, while the benefits of users versus non-users were clear, the frequency of internet use did not consistently correlate with better mental health outcomes across all regions. This could indicate that the quality of one’s internet usage could be more useful than its quantity.

Why Are Over-50s Seeing Positive Benefits?

As previously mentioned, it is no secret that the mental health of young people is being negatively affected by the prevalence of social media in our everyday lives. This is because these younger generations are more susceptible to social pressures, cyberbullying, and harmful comparisons on social media platforms, not to mention the practiced art of doomscrolling. Older demographics like those involved in the study tend to use digital tools for focused purposes. Fewer adults aged fifty-plus are logging onto Instagram or TikTok to scroll: they’re far more likely to connect with loved ones, check their emails, explore their hobbies, or try and learn new skills. Seeking validation from strangers is part of a feedback loop that could be a learned behavior, or could just be part of growing up. Either way, it doesn’t seem to be affecting older people in the same way. Dr Patrick Clarke, an Associate Professor at Curtin University in Australia, noted that the anxiety and depression in younger users is driven by social comparison that just doesn’t seem to happen to older people.

Social Media: Ups and Downs

We are developing technology too fast for our bodies and brains to keep up with. Social media takes advantage of our natural inclination for feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin and aims to keep you on the platform as long as it possibly can. Some argue that we’ve been zombified, to some extent, and are simply dopamine addicts looking for our next fix. 

Of course, this study shows that it’s not all doom and gloom. The internet and social media can be great ways to foster a sense of community, especially in populations that are in desperate need of companionship. While the drawbacks are difficult to ignore, research papers like this study show the silver lining of the scroll. Strategies attempting to use this research must understand the nuance of implementing digital literacy programs alongside encouragement to enter online communities. If done correctly and mindfully, a push towards the keyboard could result in aging populations thriving in an online environment, leading to better health outcomes across the board.