We know it’s tough to tear yourself away from scrolling. We get it; the algorithm is strong. So strong that the average person spends 2 hours and 23 minutes a day on social media.  

And let’s be honest: There’s no way that’s great for anyone’s mental health.  

That’s why we’re taking a closer look at how mass media impacts mental health. Traditional media such as television, newspapers, and radio will get a nod, but special attention will be paid to everyone’s favorite troublemaker: social media.   

How Does Media Affect Mental Health?  

Is media overload having a negative impact on mental health? The short answer is yes. We didn’t need to research the topic to know this (but we did anyway).  

Turns out, mass media, especially social media, is wearing us all down. (Except our Facebook page. That’s worth a follow. Promise) 

Here’s the Bad News 

Surprise! Watching a polar bear cling to a melting glacier, reading that a partial ceasefire in the Ukraine has fallen through, or seeing the words “bird flu” pop up on your news feed is enough to put anyone off their mood.  

There’s a name for this feeling: Psychologist and National Advisor of Health Device Management Don Grant refers to this stress as “media saturation overload.” You may know it by its other names: 

  • Doomscrolling 
  • Headline anxiety 
  • Headline stress disorder 

Dark and dreary headlines—the kind that make people fear going outside—are nothing new. Humanity has experienced its fair share of horrors, conflicts, and catastrophes throughout history. But today’s nonstop deluge of bad news and the accompanying social media commentary is like nothing we’ve seen before. 

Exploring the Link Between Mass Media and Distress 

Why is exposure to mass media like taking a shot of sadness straight up?  

One 2020 study found that the more often participants searched for news on COVID-19, whether by watching television, reading a newspaper, or scrolling on social media, the more likely they were to experience emotional distress. Now you might be thinking: Of course reading news on COVID-19 is distressful. But here’s the catch: these people were seeking relief and walked away feeling worse.  

That’s the trap. Consuming mass media makes you feel like you’re in control—staying informed, staying connected—but really, you’re just marinating in cortisol.  

Endless Scrolling: Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health 

Social media has made headlines in recent years for its addictive design and harmful impact on mental health. It’s linked to everything from loneliness to body dysmorphia to phubbing (when you’re glued to your phone and ignore everyone around you).  

And it’s especially rough on younger audiences. Kids and teens are more vulnerable to the darker effects of social media: anxiety, depression, and self-image issues, to name a few. Social media may even alter parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Scary stuff.  

But It’s Not All Bad 

Here’s the truth: mass media, even social media, isn’t inherently harmful. It’s just … a lot. When consumed mindfully, media can do a lot of good.  

Take a lifehack video that changed how you fold your shirts, or a nonsensical meme that made you laugh on a bad day. Even a show you binge with someone you love. These small joys matter.  

Media can also help spread awareness about mental health, provide access to therapy resources, and help people connect with support groups. Sometimes the emotional support people find online is more authentic than what they get in real life. 

Social Media Can Be a Safe Space  

For all its faults, social media offers a space where people can: 

  • Talk openly about mental health.  
  • Share everyday struggles without shame. 
  • Seek mental health care. 
  • Find their identity.  
  • Build support networks 
  • Relieve stress in the weirdest, most delightful corners of the internet.  

Call it what you will—an artistic outlet, a form of escapism, or a crash course on literally anything—mass media, and even social media, can have a positive impact on mental health. 

How to Make Peace With Mass Media  

If you’re struggling to put your phone down, don’t feel bad. Mass media, especially social media, is designed to hook you, which is why you may want to set up some guardrails: 

  • Turn off notifications.  
  • Limit screen time.  
  • Unfollow people or pages that stress you out.  
  • Don’t start or end your day with scrolling.  
  • Engage mindfully, rather than obeying the algorithm.  

Helping Others Make Sense of the Noise  

Maybe you’re here for more than your own peace of mind. Maybe you want to help others prioritize their mental health amid the din of notification pings, frighteningly loud commercials, and requests to “like, comment, and subscribe.” If so, here’s something to think about: 

UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is meant for people like you who want to make a difference in the lives of others. You’ll explore how people think, feel, and cope, with courses that cover: 

  • The foundations of human behavior and mental processes.  
  • How to promote well-being in individuals and communities. 
  • The ways our thoughts and actions affect overall health.  

Do you dream of becoming a counselor or therapist? A BA in psychology is a smart first step. From there, you can go on to earn an online Master of Social Work and turn your passion for helping others into a meaningful, rewarding career.  

Even if you can’t control the headlines, you can write a better story for someone else.  

Learn more about our online BA in psychology program. And when you’re ready, apply to UT Permian Basin.  

Hey! You made it to the end of this post without getting pulled somewhere else online. We’re impressed.  

Sources: 
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/strain-media-overload
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01243-x