Social media: it’s where we catch up with friends, watch funny videos, and sometimes fall into a bottomless pit of doomscrolling, that curiously compelling habit of consuming excessive amounts of news and other content — especially of the negative or stressful variety. While social platforms promise connection and entertainment, many of us feel overwhelmed by how much time we spend there, and how little we get out of it.
New research from the University of Bristol offers a fresh perspective. Published in ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, the study suggests that a healthier online experience doesn’t come from cutting social media out of our lives altogether, but using it in a way that matches our personal motivations and boundaries.
We all engage with social media for different reasons: staying in touch, finding inspiration, unwinding. But when use becomes habitual or driven by pressure, the effects can take a toll. Social ...
