{"title": "Experimental Design of the Social Media Deactivation Study", "report_sections": [{"header": "Overview and Objectives", "content": "

The study aimed to assess the effects of deactivating social media accounts on users\u2019 emotional state during the pre-election period. Two separate, parallel experiments were conducted\u2014one for Facebook and one for Instagram\u2014with the goal of estimating how temporary deactivation influences measures of well-being such as happiness, depression, and anxiety. As explained in the document, the research was undertaken as part of a broader study on political outcomes preceding the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

", "media": [{"caption": "Figure 3: Comparison to Other Experimental Estimates", "url": "https://askpandipro.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/users/1/documents/485/figures/2.png", "source_url": null, "title": null, "s3_key": "users/1/documents/485/figures/2.png", "type": "image", "id": 211695, "html": null, "carousel_h5": "Figure 3: Comparison to Other Experimental Estimates", "alt": null}]}, {"header": "Sampling and Recruitment", "content": "

Meta selected a stratified random sample of U.S. users aged 18 or older who had logged in at least once during the past month. The invitations were placed at the top of users\u2019 news feeds from August 31 to September 12. Users who clicked on the invitation were informed about the study and asked two key questions: what weekly payment they would accept to deactivate their account for either one week or six weeks. Those agreeing to deactivate for $25 per week and providing consent were then directed to complete a short enrollment survey administered by the National Opinion Research Corporation (NORC).

", "media": []}, {"header": "Randomization and Group Allocation", "content": "

After completing the baseline survey, participants were randomly assigned into one of two groups. The randomization was stratified across 36 strata, defined by indicators such as residence in an election swing state, average daily platform use over the previous 30 days, self-reported political party identification, and race. Approximately 27% of participants were placed in the treatment group (Deactivation Group) that was offered a payment of $150, contingent on not logging into the focal platform (either Facebook or Instagram) for six weeks. The remaining 73% formed the Control Group, which received $25 and were asked to deactivate for only one week. This design ensured that all participants perceived themselves as part of a study involving deactivation, thereby reducing the risks of experimenter demand effects and differential attrition.

", "media": []}, {"header": "Study Protocol and Timing", "content": "

The experiment was carefully scheduled. Once randomized, Meta deactivated the participants\u2019 focal platform accounts starting on September 23. The Control Group\u2019s accounts were reactivated on September 30, while the accounts of those in the Deactivation Group were reactivated on November 4. This deliberate timing created a clear comparison between a longer deactivation period (six weeks) and a shorter one-week deactivation. In addition to the deactivation incentive, participants were paid $5 for completing the baseline survey and at least $20 for the endline survey. Some participants also received additional compensation for allowing passive tracking of their smartphone app and web browser use, thereby providing detailed behavioral data to complement the self-reported outcomes.

", "media": [{"caption": "Figure 1: Effects of Deactivation on Use of Selected Applications", "url": "https://askpandipro.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/users/1/documents/485/figures/0.png", "source_url": null, "title": null, "s3_key": "users/1/documents/485/figures/0.png", "type": "image", "id": 211696, "html": null, "carousel_h5": "Figure 1: Effects of Deactivation on Use of Selected Applications", "alt": null}]}, {"header": "Measurement of Emotional State", "content": "

The primary outcome measure of the study was the users\u2019 emotional state. Both baseline and endline surveys included three specific questions addressing how often respondents felt happy, depressed, or anxious during the previous four weeks. The available response options were 'All of the time,' 'Often,' 'Sometimes,' 'Rarely,' and 'Never', which were coded numerically and then standardized to produce the variables \u2018happy\u2019, \u2018depressed\u2019 and \u2018anxious\u2019. For the latter two, responses were re-signed (multiplied by -1) so that higher values indicated a more positive emotional state. An emotional state index was then created by averaging these three variables and re-standardizing the index. This careful measurement allowed the researchers to precisely quantify changes in emotional well-being as a result of the deactivation intervention.

", "media": [{"caption": "Figure 2: Effects of Facebook and Instagram Deactivation on Emotional State", "url": "https://askpandipro.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/users/1/documents/485/figures/1.png", "source_url": null, "title": null, "s3_key": "users/1/documents/485/figures/1.png", "type": "image", "id": 211697, "html": null, "carousel_h5": "Figure 2: Effects of Facebook and Instagram Deactivation on Emotional State", "alt": null}]}, {"header": "Additional Methodological Considerations", "content": "

The study design was constructed to minimize potential biases and confounding factors. For example, by offering a short deactivation period for the control group as well, the design isolated monetary and duration differences as the key distinguishing features between the two groups. Pre-specified procedures, including controls based on baseline measures and demographic variables, were in place to adjust for any slight imbalances in the sample (e.g., a minor imbalance in baseline emotional state observed among Facebook users). Moreover, the researchers used an instrumental variables approach to account for imperfect compliance with the deactivation protocol. Passive tracking data were also collected for a subset of participants to assess how deactivation affected overall mobile application use and whether time freed from using Facebook or Instagram was reallocated to other apps.

", "media": []}]}

What percentage joined the endline survey?

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