In today’s world, it’s nearly impossible to escape social media. From Instagram stories to TikTok trends, it’s become a part of our daily routine—often before we’ve even had our morning coffee. But if you’ve ever found yourself feeling anxious after scrolling through your feed, you’re not alone. Many people are starting to wonder: Can social media cause anxiety? The short answer is yes—it can. But it’s a bit more complicated than just blaming the apps.
Why Does Social Media Cause Anxiety?
Social media can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it helps us stay connected, discover new ideas, and find community. On the other hand, it can trigger comparison, overwhelm, and stress.
Here are a few reasons why social media causes anxiety for so many people:
- The Comparison Trap: Social media often shows the highlight reel of people’s lives—vacations, promotions, perfect selfies. It’s easy to compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s best moments. This can leave you feeling like you’re not doing enough, not attractive enough, or just… not enough.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Seeing friends out having fun—or people attending events you weren’t invited to—can trigger feelings of exclusion, loneliness, or jealousy. That subtle sense of being left out can build into anxiety over time.
- Information Overload: News updates, controversial opinions, endless notifications… It’s a lot. Constant exposure to distressing content can overwhelm your nervous system, especially if you’re already prone to anxiety.
- Online Validation: Many people (especially teens and young adults) start to tie their self-worth to likes, shares, or comments. When engagement is low, it can feel like rejection—even if it’s just the algorithm doing its thing.
- Cyberbullying and Negative Interactions: Even one harsh comment or DM can stick with you. Online spaces sometimes embolden people to say things they’d never say in person, which can fuel social anxiety and insecurity.
What You Can Do About It
If you’re finding that social media leaves you feeling more anxious than connected, here are a few gentle ways to take back control:
- Limit screen time: Try setting time limits for your apps or taking intentional breaks from your phone.
- Curate your feed: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself and follow ones that inspire, uplift, or make you laugh.
- Be mindful of how you feel: If scrolling leaves you tense, anxious, or down, take a pause and check in with yourself.
- Set boundaries: You don’t have to reply right away or be available 24/7. It’s okay to protect your peace.
- Talk about it: If social media anxiety is interfering with your daily life, therapy for anxiety can help you explore why and build healthy habits around it.
You’re Not Alone
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Can social media cause anxiety?”—know that you’re asking a valid and important question. The way we interact with social media is deeply personal, and it affects mental health more than most people realize.
At Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy, we help clients explore their relationship with technology, reduce anxiety, and create healthier boundaries with social media. You don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
Ready to Feel More In Control?
Contact us today at 205-807-5372 to schedule a session. Together, we can find ways to ease the anxiety and help you feel more grounded—on and offline.
