Flow on Social Media? Rarer Than You'd Think

TL;DR

This study challenges the common belief that social media frequently induces flow, revealing that actual flow experiences linked to social media are rare and that heavier use may reduce overall flow, fatigue, and motivation.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence from a five-day field study showing social media rarely induces flow and may negatively impact well-being, contrasting prior assumptions.

Findings

Flow occurrences with social media are only 2 percent.

Heavier social media use predicts fewer daily flow experiences.

Social media use is associated with increased fatigue and lower motivation.

Abstract

Researchers often attribute social media's appeal to its ability to elicit flow experiences of deep absorption and effortless engagement. Yet prolonged use has also been linked to distraction, fatigue, and lower mood. This paradox remains poorly understood, in part because prior studies rely on habitual or one-shot reports that ask participants to directly attribute flow to social media. To address this gap, we conducted a five-day field study with 40 participants, combining objective smartphone app tracking with daily reconstructions of flow-inducing activities. Across 673 reported flow occurrences, participants rarely associated flow with social media (2 percent). Instead, heavier social media use predicted fewer daily flow occurrences. We further examine this relationship through the effects of social media use on fatigue, mood, and motivation. Altogether, our findings suggest that flow and social media may not align as closely as assumed - and might even compete - underscoring the need for further research.