Feeling cranky after scrolling all day? You’re not alone. A new study found that the more time adults spend on social media — especially posting — the more irritable they feel. And yeah, that includes TikTok, Insta, X, and Facebook. The link was clear: more screen time, more mood swings.
Even after factoring in anxiety and depression, social media still came out as a top irritability trigger. The worst? People who are online most of the day. It’s not just about doomscrolling either — political posts and constant posting were both linked to higher levels of frustration.
Bottom line: social media might be messing with your mood more than you think. If you’ve been snapping at people or feeling edgy for no reason, it could be time to take a break from the feed. Your brain (and your group chat) will thank you.
Szilágyi Mónika
