12/01/2025
📱 How are social media algorithms shaping our mental health?
In a recent Grit Daily article, Dr. Erica Wollerman, founder of Thrive Therapy Studio, offers an important perspective on the psychological impact of algorithm-driven content.
Drawing from her clinical work with children, teens, and families, Dr. Wollerman explains how algorithms—built to maximize engagement—often prioritize emotionally charged or unrealistic content. While this benefits the platforms, it can have harmful effects on developing identity, emotional regulation, and empathy.
She notes that for young people especially, curated feeds and echo chambers can contribute to:
✨ Increased anxiety and depression
✨ Distorted sense of identity and belonging
✨ Heightened social comparison and body image concerns
And for both youth and adults, algorithm-driven polarization can make it harder to engage with differing viewpoints—undermining curiosity, perspective-taking, and meaningful dialogue.
Dr. Wollerman emphasizes that social media itself isn’t the enemy—but understanding how algorithms influence what we see is essential. Building digital literacy, fostering awareness, and using platforms intentionally are key steps toward healthier online experiences.
🔗 Read the full article here:
https://gritdaily.com/social-media-algorithms-and-mental-health-exploring-the-impact/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com
Social media algorithms shape what users see, influencing emotions, perceptions, and mental well-being in ways that often go unnoticed. This article examines