TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest … so many social media apps! Social media is available anywhere, anytime and for free (most, at least), and used for socializing, connecting with employers and loved ones, and scrolling for news. 

But what happens when you become addicted to social media apps? What happens when instead of completing the useful tasks, you choose to scroll through an endless supply of social media content? This dependency can be costly with physical, mental, spiritual and social effects.

How Does Social Media Use Cause Stress?

Social media apps can be fun. But when you stay on an app for way too long, stress can quickly follow. The amount of content that can come from newsfeeds — in a short amount of time — can be overwhelming. This overwhelming feeling is especially the case when the news coming at you steers negative.  

The time spent on social media apps can stress you out — particularly after you opened an app for a specific question or problem. You can fall into the habit of scrolling only to realize that you haven’t found the information you need. It goes like this: Log into the app you desire for information and then get distracted by the seemingly endless amount of content. Two hours tick by. You still have no answer to your original question. Sound familiar? 

How Does Social Media Use Cause Anxiety and Depression?

While results from research on social media and its impacts have been mixed, some research shows that there’s a connection between heavy social media use and feelings of anxiety, depression and psychological distress. 

The Bible tells us to send our cares to God, and not to worry because it robs us of happiness (Philippians 4:6). In other words, we can become anxious and depressed through worry. Anxiety is a type of uncertainty or even fear of what might (or might not) happen. Depression is usually this same feeling, but it tends to be compounded with sadness, which people sometimes can’t shake off. 

How Does Social Media Lead to Comparison and Loneliness?

Other research shows that depression can occur in some young adults when they compare themselves to others (even when they don’t want to or they’re not conscious they’re doing it). Loneliness can result from excessive social media use. 

Comparison becomes almost inevitable when using social media, especially for young people. When you compare yourself to others on social media, remember that most of these individuals are struggling with challenges just as you are, and may be using social media to project a picture-perfect life. In that way, their expressions might be inauthentic. Practice being content rather than wishing you had someone else’s life, friends, car, home, clothes, shoes, bags, etc.  

God encourages us to not covet what our neighbors have (Exodus 20:17). He also encourages us to be loving instead of being jealous, envious or comparing ourselves with one another (1 Corinthians 13:4). When you heed the wise words of God, you can navigate using social media well, with balance, and avoid the negative effects. 

Excessive social media use can dissuade authenticity and lead to inauthentic connections. Many young people, according to research, lead two lives: one online, one offline. Although social media can allow people to connect, this online connection is usually superficial, leading those who only connect virtually to feel lonely.  

Instead of connecting mainly through social media, it’s better to connect with others in person — better for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. And if in-person is not feasible, then chatting on the phone via phone calls and messages can help cultivate authentic relationships. 

Social media can do good like connecting you with people, like those you’ve reconnected with, those who live far away, or potential employers and colleagues for job opportunities. It can be the only cost-effective way to connect with these people. However, a reliance on social media apps as a whole can not only be harmful physically (for your eyes and not being able to get up to walk and be active) but it can also be disadvantageous mentally, spiritually, and socially. 

Strike a good balance in your social media usage so that you enjoy its benefits and avoid its negative effects.

How to Manage the Negative Impact of Social Media

This article was originally titled “Social Media Strike” in the November 2025 issue of Peer Magazine.