The Hidden Mental Health Cost of News on Social Media

In an era defined by rapidly unfolding crises, wars rage in real time, democratic rights are challenged, and deepening social divides surface daily. Whether distant or close to home, today’s news often carries emotional weight—affecting individuals and communities alike.

For many people, social media has become the primary gateway to these stories. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, more than half of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes get news from social media—a figure that underscores how embedded these platforms are in modern news diets.

News no longer arrives at set times through newspapers or evening broadcasts. Instead, it appears continuously—embedded within social feeds, notifications, and everyday scrolling. People do not always seek it out; they encounter it incidentally, again and again.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Psychology Today.