01/21/2026
Social media can be a space for connection, creativity, and even support. But when it starts consuming hours of your day or influencing how you feel about yourself, it may be doing more harm than good. Recent research continues to show a strong link between excessive social media use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and loneliness.
Here's why it happens:
Your brain is wired to compare.
Seeing highlight reels of other people's lives, success, bodies, relationships, triggers a sense of inadequacy. Your brain processes this comparison even when you know it's curated.
The scroll = overstimulation.
Constant exposure to short, fast-paced content floods your brain with dopamine hits. But over time, this can dull your natural reward system, making it harder to focus or feel satisfied offline.
Social pressure increases stress.
Filters, trends, and performance culture can make people feel like they have to always be "on." This performance pressure can amplify self-doubt and lead to emotional burnout - especially in teens and young adults.
You don't have to quit social media, but being aware of its effects can help you create better boundaries, engage with intention, and take breaks when needed.
