The dark side of social networking sites: An exploration of the relational and psychological stressors associated with Facebook use and affordances

•In focus groups, adult users revealed stressful experiences related to Facebook.•Facebook’s affordances, such as connectivity and visibility, created stressors.•Despite stressors, users felt social pressure to stay on and access the site often.•Social comparison and conflict over Facebook were frequently cited stressors.•Many first denied its impact, but all related significant ordeals due to Facebook. Research on social media typically focuses on its benefits; considerably less is known about the dark side of social networking sites. Focus groups of adult Facebook users (N=44) uncovered narratives surrounding individuals’ negative psychological and relational experiences tied to the social networking site and its affordances (e.g., connectivity, visibility, accessibility, persistence, and social feedback). Thematic analysis rendered five themes regarding Facebook stressors: managing inappropriate or annoying content, being tethered, lack of privacy and control, social comparison and jealousy, and relationship tension and conflict. Results demonstrate that although Facebook users often experience negative emotions, they feel pressured to access the site frequently due to the fear of missing out and to keep up with relationship maintenance demands. Some participants reported privacy violations due to Facebook’s visibility, connectivity, and persistence. These features also afforded constant social comparison to other network members, which triggered jealousy, anxiety, and other negative emotions. Relational turbulence occurred due to the public nature of conflict on Facebook. Many participants’ responses revealed overarching contradictions: initially they claimed Facebook was inconsequential, yet later recounted significant stressful or hurtful events associated with Facebook. Our findings indicate some methods may not uncover the actual nature or scope of users’ experiences.