Research Shows Doom-Scrolling is Slowly Stealing Away Your Happiness

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It might seem like scrolling through funny videos boosts your mood, but studies actually show the opposite is true. Spending too much time on social media can negatively impact your wellbeing, and this is especially true for young people, particularly girls.

A new report from the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre suggests that using social media for about an hour each day is generally fine. However, the report finds that spending more time on these platforms can negatively affect your happiness and overall well-being.

According to a new report, the well-being of young adults (under 25) who heavily use social media has significantly declined over the last ten years in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. While young people are less likely to drink and smoke than previous generations, the report suggests social media has become a new, replacing addiction.

Research consistently shows that excessive social media use and endlessly scrolling through bad news can harm mental health, leading to more stress and negativity, especially among young people. The 2026 World Happiness Report found that platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X use algorithms that often prioritize content likely to have a negative effect on your mood and overall well-being.

Apps that simply show you endless feeds, often called “passive scrolling” apps, are largely responsible for negative effects. However, apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, where people actively message and comment, don’t seem to have as strong an impact. The report recommends limiting your time on social media, or even avoiding it altogether.

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2026-05-26 13:14