Title: Heavy Social Media Use Linked to Declining Wellbeing

The phenomenon of mindless "doom-scrolling" is a familiar experience for many, but new research suggests this habit is taking a significant toll on mental health, particularly among women in Western nations. According to the World Happiness Report, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, excessive engagement with social media is detrimental to overall wellbeing.

Michael Plant, a Research Fellow at the centre, noted the distinction between moderate and heavy usage. "If you use social media for an hour a day, that's great, you're being connected," Plant explained. "But the report did show a correlation between, the more time you spend on social media the greater loss of wellbeing."

While the study does not identify specific reasons for the disproportionate impact on the West, it highlights a striking trend: wellbeing among individuals under 25 has plummeted over the last decade in countries such as the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. 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 said. He observed a generational shift in risk behaviors: "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 added that the architecture of these platforms is specifically engineered to maximize user engagement.

Despite the broader negative trends, some creators find success and fulfillment online. Sydney Grows, a fitness content creator who began posting on TikTok in 2021, described her career 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 about gym sessions and sports, strives to foster a positive community. However, she acknowledges the emotional challenges 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."

Recognizing that social media is now an irreversible part of modern life, Plant emphasized the importance of personal responsibility. "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 change 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." Instead, he suggested, "So instead go 'I will go out and try to talk to people more'. Overall the aim is to put the social back into social media."

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