Title: Heavy Social Media Usage Linked to Declining Mental Health

The phenomenon of "doom-scrolling"—a mindless, numbing habit—has long been recognized as a common digital experience. However, new research indicates that this behavior is having a profound negative effect on wellbeing, particularly in Western nations and among young women. According to the World Happiness Report, published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, excessive engagement with social platforms detrimentally affects overall happiness.

Michael Plant, a Research Fellow at the Wellbeing Research Centre, notes that moderate use can be beneficial. "If you use social media for an hour a day, that's great, you're being connected," Plant explains. However, he warns of a direct correlation between usage time and happiness: "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 identify the specific reasons behind the Western world's heightened vulnerability, it highlights a stark trend: since the rise of social media over the last decade, wellbeing among those under 25 has plummeted in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Plant admits he was initially doubtful about the harmful effects of digital platforms. "I was originally skeptical about the negativity on social media, but the evidence is mounting up," he says. He contrasts the current generation with his own, observing, "So young people are not smoking, they're not taking drugs, having lots of sex like my generation but they do have social media." He adds that the architecture of these platforms is intentionally designed to "maintain engagement."

Despite the broader negative trends, some users find value in the medium. 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 says. Grows focuses on authenticity, sharing content related to gym interactions and sports, and strives to cultivate a positive online 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," she explains. "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 states. He advises against comparing one’s life to others, which leads to feeling worse. Instead, he recommends shifting focus: "So instead go 'I will go out and try to talk to people more'." Ultimately, Plant concludes, "the aim is to put the social back into social media."

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