BUFFALO, N.Y.: A new University at Buffalo-led study has found that greater social media use is linked to rising climate anxiety and distress, revealing how digital platforms may be shaping emotional responses and attitudes toward climate change.
Published in the journal Climatic Change, the research surveyed 1,400 U.S. adults in January 2024 to explore how social media habits influence perceptions of climate threats, emotional well-being, and support for climate-related actions.
Findings highlight connection between social media use and climate distress
According to the study, people who spend more time on social media platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and Snapchat reported higher levels of climate anxiety — including two distinct forms:
- Climate distress: General concern and worry about global climate change.
- Climate doom: The belief that climate change will lead to a breakdown of political, social, and economic systems.
The study also found that climate doom — but not general climate distress — correlates with support for radical actions, such as sabotage or hacking fossil fuel infrastructure. However, neither form of climate anxiety was linked to support for authoritarian measures like population control.
Expert insight on emotional and social impact
Lead author Dr. Holly Jean Buck, Associate Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, said the findings underscore the collective and political dimensions of climate anxiety.
“When we think of climate anxiety or climate doomerism, it tends to be seen as an individual mental health issue,” said Dr. Buck. “But our results show it also has collective implications for climate politics and society.”
Co-author Dr. Janet Yang, Professor of Communication at the same university, added that while social media can help raise awareness, algorithms may also intensify polarization and fear.
“This study shows a connection between general social media use and climate distress,” she noted. “Further research is needed to examine what type of content drives these emotional reactions.”
TikTok and Snapchat users most affected
Results indicated that users of TikTok and Snapchat showed the strongest association with climate doom and support for radical action, while users of Instagram, Reddit, and TikTok were more likely to express skepticism, misinformation concerns, and distrust around climate change communication.
Call for further research and emotional resilience
The authors emphasized the importance of investigating how social media design and algorithms amplify climate information and its emotional consequences. They also called for strategies to manage climate-related stress and combat feelings of collective helplessness that may discourage meaningful climate action.
This study highlights a growing need for responsible communication, psychological support, and informed dialogue to help individuals and communities respond constructively to climate challenges in the digital age.
