Social Media Overuse Linked to Declining Wellbeing

The phenomenon of "doom-scrolling"—that mindless, numbing habit of endless browsing—is more than just a bad feeling; it is actively harming mental health, particularly among young women in Western nations. A new analysis from the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, published as part of the World Happiness Report, confirms that heavy social media consumption has a detrimental effect on overall wellbeing.

Michael Plant, a Research Fellow at the centre, offered a nuanced perspective on usage levels. "If you use social media for an hour a day, that's great, you're being connected," he explained. However, the data reveals a clear trend: "The report did show a correlation between, the more time you spend on social media the greater loss of wellbeing."

While the report does not pinpoint the exact reasons for the disparity affecting the Western world, it highlights a stark contrast in youth mental health. Over the last ten years, the wellbeing of individuals under 25 in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK has plummeted. This decline coincides precisely with the rapid expansion of social media platforms.

"I was originally skeptical about the negativity on social media, but the evidence is mounting up," Plant noted. He drew a comparison to previous generations, observing that while today’s youth are less likely to smoke, use drugs, or engage in frequent sexual activity compared to his own generation, they are heavy social media users. He added that these platforms are fundamentally engineered to sustain user engagement.

Despite the risks, many creators find success online. Sydney Grows, a fitness content creator who began posting on TikTok in 2021, describes her experience as "a dream." "I am very lucky, the health and fitness industry, the people are lovely the opportunities are incredible and I feel like I am living my dream every day," she said. Grows, who focuses on authenticity in her posts ranging from gym sessions to sporting events, strives to cultivate a positive environment.

However, she acknowledges the emotional toll of online interaction. "I tend to block out the negative comments, I've had four years worth of practice to build the resilience," Grows admitted. "But you know, you'll get 100 positive comments and it doesn't sink in but then you get one negative comment and it feels personal and it hurts."

With social media now an inescapable part of modern life, Plant suggests that the solution lies in personal responsibility rather than regulation. "It's about being realistic and looking at yourself - the platforms won't stop you and the government, if you're an adult, won't put restrictions in place so it's down to you," he stated.

He advised users to shift their mindset when comparisons arise. "If you go 'I am looking at other people and their life seems better than mine' then I am going to feel worse. So instead go 'I will go out and try to talk to people more'." Ultimately, Plant emphasized that the goal should be to "put the social back into social media."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-23 06:27:17 UTC