Can we make social media healthier—not just by using it less, but by using it better? Most current approaches focus on digital detox, yet evidence for their effectiveness is mixed, and we still lack a clear understanding of why social media impacts well-being—or how to improve it. Drawing on research in empirical aesthetics, previous work shows that even brief exposure to meaningful, emotionally rich content can enhance mood and well-being. Building on this, this project directly compares two strategies: reducing use versus improving the quality of engagement. Using an experience sampling and experimental design, we address three key questions: (1) how everyday social media use relates to momentary well-being, (2) whether “use less” or “use better” is more effective, and (3) how these strategies differentially affect mood, stress, and meaning.

Supervisor:
Dr Jan Mikuni
University of Vienna, Austria

Dr Jan Mikuni is a postdoctoral researcher at University of Vienna in the field of psychology of art and aesthetics. Her work focuses on aesthetic experiences in everyday life—whether through engagement with artworks, designed objects, or urban environments—and how these experiences shape human perception, emotion, and behavior. Core interest lies in understanding not only the nature and quality of these experiences, but also their broader societal impact.