Online shopping and frequent social media use may be doing more harm than good for mental well-being. A new study tracking real-world internet behavior found that people who spent more time shopping online or scrolling social platforms reported higher stress levels than those engaging in other online activities.
The research analyzed millions of website visits and app uses from nearly 1,500 adults over several months, pairing usage data with self-reported stress. Online shopping showed the strongest link to stress, followed by social media, video streaming and gaming. In contrast, time spent reading emails, browsing news sites or consuming short-form adult content was associated with lower stress levels in many users.
The findings suggest that how people use the internet matters as much as how long they spend online. Researchers say the results highlight the need to better understand whether digital habits increase stress or simply reflect it, and caution that blanket limits on internet use may overlook the complex role online activities play in coping and daily life.
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