Revisiting the social enhancement and social compensation hypotheses in the social media era

Abstract This study explores the effects of socially oriented online activities on subjective well-being. Using data from a longitudinal survey of college students (N = 413), the study tested the effects that instant messaging (IM), checking or updating profiles on social networking sites (SNS), sharing photos or videos, accessing to and posting on Twitter, and posting messages on discussion or message boards may have on subjective well-being. We also examined the roles of extraversion and social support as moderators of these effects. We found that SNS use increased subjective well-being over time; however, IM use had positive effects on well-being only among respondents with higher levels of extraversion and social support. Twitter use decreased well-being only for those with lower social support. Posting messages on discussion boards decreased well-being, while sharing photos and videos had no effect.