By TherapyNearMe.com.au | August 2025
Social media has become a central part of modern life, shaping how people connect, consume information, and present themselves to the world. While these platforms offer opportunities for self-expression, community building, and learning, research shows that some may be more detrimental to mental well-being than others due to their structure, algorithms, and dominant content styles.
This article examines the latest scientific evidence on how different platforms affect mental health, identifies the most harmful ones, and offers practical tips for safeguarding psychological well-being online.
1. How Social Media Impacts Mental Health
The influence of social media on mental well-being is complex, involving factors such as social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), cyberbullying, exposure to unrealistic ideals, and addictive design features (Andreassen et al., 2017). While benefits like increased access to support and resources are real, the harms can outweigh these benefits when engagement is excessive, unbalanced, or passive.
2. How Major Platforms Compare
Instagram’s highly visual nature drives body image concerns, especially in teenagers and young women (Fardouly et al., 2018). Repeated exposure to filtered and idealised images fosters upward social comparison, leading to anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues (Perloff, 2014).
TikTok
TikTok’s algorithmic feed encourages compulsive use (Montag et al., 2021). Its short-form videos can inspire creativity but also expose users to harmful trends and triggering content, with negative effects on mood and attention span.
Facebook can strengthen social bonds but also increases the risk of negative emotional outcomes when use is passive. Studies link prolonged scrolling to reduced life satisfaction and heightened depressive symptoms (Verduyn et al., 2015).
X (formerly Twitter)
X delivers real-time information but can overwhelm users with constant negative news, conflict, and harassment, leading to anxiety and emotional exhaustion (Brailovskaia & Margraf, 2018).
Snapchat
While Snapchat’s disappearing messages lower posting pressure, features like Snapstreaks encourage compulsive checking, which is associated with stress, poor sleep, and reduced well-being (Scott et al., 2019).
3. Psychological Mechanisms of Harm
- Social Comparison Theory: Comparing oneself to idealised portrayals online lowers self-esteem (Festinger, 1954).
- Variable Reward Loops: Unpredictable feedback triggers dopamine release, reinforcing addictive behaviours (Alter, 2017).
- Information Overload: Continuous content streams cause mental fatigue (Rathore et al., 2016).
- FOMO: Fear of missing experiences increases anxiety (Przybylski et al., 2013).
4. Which Platform Is Most Harmful?
Evidence suggests that Instagram poses the highest risk for body image-related mental health concerns, especially among young women (Fardouly et al., 2018; Perloff, 2014). TikTok is emerging as a significant concern for its potential to promote compulsive use and harmful trends (Montag et al., 2021).
Platforms that emphasise appearance-based content, endless scrolling, and algorithm-driven engagement cues tend to have the greatest negative impact.
5. Protecting Your Mental Health Online
- Curate Your Feed: Follow content that uplifts and unfollow harmful accounts.
- Set Boundaries: Use screen time limits or tracking tools.
- Engage Actively: Prioritise meaningful interactions over passive scrolling.
- Take Breaks: Schedule regular digital detox periods.
- Seek Help: Consult a professional if social media use affects your daily life.
References
Alter, A. (2017) Irresistible: The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked. New York: Penguin Press.
Andreassen, C.S. et al. (2017) ‘The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey’, Addictive Behaviors, 64, pp. 287–293.
Brailovskaia, J. and Margraf, J. (2018) ‘What does media use reveal about personality and mental health? An exploratory investigation among German students’, PLoS One, 13(1), e0191810.
Fardouly, J. et al. (2018) ‘Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook and Instagram on body image concerns’, Body Image, 13, pp. 38–45.
Festinger, L. (1954) ‘A theory of social comparison processes’, Human Relations, 7(2), pp. 117–140.
Montag, C. et al. (2021) ‘TikTok, time perception and addictive use: A cognitive neuroscience perspective’, Addictive Behaviors Reports, 14, 100363.
Perloff, R.M. (2014) ‘Social media effects on young women’s body image concerns: Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research’, Sex Roles, 71(11–12), pp. 363–377.
Przybylski, A.K. et al. (2013) ‘Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out’, Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), pp. 1841–1848.
Rathore, A.K. et al. (2016) ‘Social media content and product co-creation: An emerging paradigm’, Journal of Global Information Management, 24(3), pp. 1–14.
Scott, H. et al. (2019) ‘Social media use and adolescent sleep patterns: Cross-sectional findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study’, BMJ Open, 9(9), e031161.
Verduyn, P. et al. (2015) ‘Do social network sites enhance or undermine subjective well-being? A critical review’, Social Issues and Policy Review, 9(1), pp. 274–302.
