Facebook lets friends connect. They can give each other updates, share photos and post comments. But that's not all.
Facebook might also stress users out.
In a new study, 88 volunteers revealed how much time they spent on Facebook and the types of Facebook posts and comments that they made. In addition, they answered questions about their feelings and state of mind. They also offered saliva. Researchers tested it for cortisol（皮质醇）. This chemical is a stress hormone. Levels of it vary throughout the day.
In this study, people with the most Facebook friends, more than 300, had somewhat higher cortisol levels. Additionally, the more Facebook friends that users had, the more likely they were to feel anxious. On the other hand, youths who gave lots of "likes" and supportive comments on Facebook had lower cortisol levels. "The more social support you give to others, the lower your stress hormone levels will be, " says Lupien.
"This research decidedly combines the social science approach and the medical science approach on an important question in our social-media age, " says Wenhong Chen, a sociologist at the University of Texas at Austin. "It's really pleasantly new to see Lupien's team study cortisol levels—along with questionnaire data."
One finding from Lupien's work surprised Chen. Teens who felt they got a lot of support from others also had higher cortisol levels. Usually, she says, those feelings should protect people from stress. "There are many potential dangers of social media use among young people, " Chen notes. So, she says, enjoy Facebook, but be aware of the risks.
Lupien suggests that teen Facebook users share information with and support their friends on the site. They shouldn't just stay silent. "if anyone is more stressed, it's the watchers, not the sharers, " she says. Also, she recommends that people who use social media heavily should find time to take active walks, to run or to do other activities. Cortisol increases a person's energy. "The best way to reduce stress hormones is to use the energy, '' she says.
