A new study, co-authored by Holly Jean Buck, an associate professor of environment and sustainability at UB, uncovers an important link. It demonstrates how engaging with social media contributes to emotional distress caused by perceived threats of climate change. The research surveyed 1,400 U.S. adults in January 2024 and highlights how the pervasive nature of social media platforms influences individuals’ mental health regarding climate issues. The journal Climatic Change has since published the surprising findings. Their evocative illustrations call attention to the need to address climate anxiety in our world.
The study, co-authored by Janet Yang, a communication professor at UB, and Prerna Shah, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Georgia, analyzed data drawn from seven popular social media platforms: TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and Snapchat. The scientists specifically quantified respondents’ agreement with claims regarding climate doom and anxiety. To measure this, they employed a scale from 0 (strongly disagree) to 100 (strongly agree).
Implications of Social Media on Mental Health
Holly Jean Buck’s research shows that more social media use is linked with greater climate change emotional distress. This creative approach to delivering environmental messages is further evidence that social media platforms can increase awareness of environmental issues. Yet they can have the opposite effect, leaving users more powerless than ever.
“When we think of climate anxiety or climate doomerism, it tends to be focused on mental health from an individual, psychological viewpoint. That is certainly important to study, but our results point to a collective dimension with implications for climate politics and broader society,” – Holly Jean Buck, Ph.D.
The study’s findings highlight some important questions around the role of social media in influencing audience perception of climate risks. Fourth, these platforms curate content in ways that can exacerbate vulnerability and fears related to impacts of climate change. As such, they do both educate users and severely traumatize them at the same time.
The Role of Algorithms and Content Consumption
Janet Yang explains how social media algorithms can lead to extreme experiences for users. She notes that these platforms can be powerful tools for creating awareness around climate-justice intersectionalities. They can equally act to increase polarization in how risks are perceived. This polarization further intensifies users’ anxiety. Climate change is a big enough crisis without exposing them to terrifying messages that scare them away.
“While social media can promote awareness, its algorithms can foster polarization in risk perception. This study shows a connection between general social media use and climate distress, but further research is needed to specifically examine the type of content that people consume on social media related to climate change,” – Janet Yang, Ph.D.
The policy implications of this research reach far beyond personal mental health issues. Their recommendations point to how addressing climate anxiety means taking a holistic societal approach, which can help shape climate movement, political, and policy-making efforts.
Future Research Directions
Holly Jean Buck’s study sets the stage for further exploration. It points to the complicated relationship between climate-related social media content and our emotional responses to climate change. Understanding what kinds of content increase anxiety can guide how we craft messages that reduce climate fears. This knowledge will further foster productive discussion and creativity to drive change.
Prerna Shah’s contributions as a co-author also elevate this study tremendously. With her recent doctoral research in communication, she brings an enlightening perspective. Her insights will be pivotal in future studies seeking to explore the intricate dynamics between social media use and public perceptions of environmental threats.