Here’s The Reason Facebook Makes Us Sad

This is why we're blue (da ba dee).

A new study has pinpointed the reason increased Facebook usage makes people feel unhappy, and no, it’s not because Zuckerberg keeps changing the layout of the Wall on us.

The research team at the University of Houston tracked the symptoms and usage habits of local students, discovering that the more time one spent on Facebook, the more apparent their depressive symptoms became.

Though the result may sound familiar to the more frequent Facebook users reading this, the cause may come as a shock.

As shared by The Huffington Post, the study found “[those] spending a great deal of time on Facebook… feel badly when comparing themselves to others.”

Whether it’s seeing pictures of Facebook friends in happy relationships, on holiday, or just cooking food you would rather be eating, the experience of scrolling through a feed inspires little but sadness.

Weirdly, even seeing someone posting their own sad photos or messages – about breakups, work strife or gross food – makes us sad too. Not only do we not like comparing ourselves negatively to our friends, we don’t want to be compared positively to them either.

The good news, at least, is that the Internet hasn’t entirely killed off our capability to feel empathy.

Remember, if ever you need someone to talk to, feel free to contact the below organisations:

• beyondblue 1300 224 636
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800