SCROLLING AND STRESS: THE MENTAL HEALTH COST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Written by John on May 28, 2025
In today’s digital world, checking social media is as natural as brushing your teeth. We scroll through Instagram before getting out of bed, watch Tiktok during lunch, and reply to whatsapp DMs before sleeping. But what happens to our minds when endless scrolling becomes a daily habit? Behind the curated feeds and viral trends lies a growing mental health concern; social media stress.
The pressure to keep up
One of the most subtle but damaging effects of social media is the pressure to stay constantly updated. There is always something new, a trending topic, a friend’s life update or breaking news. This ‘fear of missing out’ can lead to compulsive checking and a sense of anxiety when we are offline. Instead of relaxing, we feel like we are being left behind.
Comparison culture
Social media is a highlight reel, not real life. People often share their best moments, vacations, achievements, filtered selfies leaving out the struggles. As we scroll, we compare our everyday lives to these curated versions of reality. This comparison can damage self-esteem, especially among young people who are still forming their identities. It can make us feel like we are not doing enough, not attractive enough or simply not enough.
Information overload
Our brains aren’t built to absorb so much content at once. A few minutes of scrolling can expose us to hundreds of posts, some funny some upsetting or some completely irrelevant. This constant input can be overwhelming, leading to digital fatigue. We feel mentally exhausted, yet we keep scrolling, hoping for a hit of entertainment or connection.
Sleep and concentration issues
Late night scrolling has become a habit for many, but it often comes to the cost of sleep. The light from the screens can make it harder for one to fall asleep. The content itself, whether it’s stressful news or addictive videos, keep our minds active when they should be winding down. Overtime, this disrupts our sleep cycles and affects our ability to concentrate during the day.
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive. We begin to rely on social media for validation, which can lead to mood swings, anxiety and even depression when the engagement doesn’t meet our expectations.
Social media isn’t inherently bad, it connect us, informs us and can even inspire us. The key is how we use it. We should limit how often and when you check your accounts, also following pages of people who uplift you.
END….
BY: FALARY MUTETHYA
The author is an experienced radio journalist and media manager.
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