Billions of people around the world use social media every day. In fact, studies show that over 4.5 billion people, more than half the global population, are active on social media platforms. That is nearly 60% of the global poulation, and 92% of all internet users are using social media. Many users spend hours scrolling, posting, and engaging with content daily, with the average time spent on social media being around two and a half hours each day. Social media has become such a big part of life that it’s often one of the first and last things people check, showing just how much it’s woven into our routines.

Social media significantly affects mental health, often contributing to anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. Its design encourages frequent use, which can amplify feelings of exclusion, low self-esteem, and dissatisfaction. Teenagers and young adults are particularly impacted, as social media exposes them to unrealistic standards and increases opportunities for negative interactions. While quitting entirely isn’t always practical, learning to recognize how it influences emotions and setting boundaries can help. Research shows that reducing time spent on social media can improve overall well-being and reduce feelings of loneliness and stress.

A lot of people feel like social media invades their privacy and makes it hard to keep their personal lives personal. Around 80% of social media users are concerned about advertisers and companies accessing their personal data, and only 9% trust that social media companies will protect their privacy. While 74% believe it's important to control who can see their information, very few feel they actually have that control. Sharing so much online can lead to feeling exposed, judged, or even unsafe, especially when strangers or unwanted people have access to their posts. This constant lack of privacy can cause stress, anxiety, and even make people feel like they have to act a certain way to avoid criticism. For some, it creates pressure to always seem perfect, which can be mentally exhausting and leave them feeling overwhelmed.