Understanding the Role of Social Media Content in Inducing Anxiety: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Anxiety is associated with adverse effects on social media users’ well-being. While previous research focused on understanding whether social media usage behavior, such as time spent on social media, elicits feelings of anxiety, scant attention has been paid to exploring the role of social media content in inducing feelings of anxiety. To address this research gap, a qualitative study with 249 social media users was conducted. Our results reveal six content categories that are likely to elicit anxiety: negative news, incivility, social comparison content, political content, misinformation, and content depicting dangerous behavior. By shedding light on these content categories, this study contributes to our understanding of the negative implications of social media on users. In addition, the results are relevant for platform providers and mental health practitioners seeking to mitigate negative online experiences and promote well-being.