How Social Media Shapes Our Mental Health, Beliefs, and Healing After High-Demand Groups
The double-edged world of connection
Social media is where we go to feel connected, but it is also where anxiety, comparison, and misinformation thrive. For many, especially those recovering from high-demand religions or cults, the online world can feel both comforting and confusing. It offers a new kind of community, yet it also mirrors some of the same control, urgency, and emotional manipulation that defined life inside a high-control group.
Social media and mental health
It is very clear that social media use impacts mental health. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, excessive use, especially among young people, is linked to anxiety, depression, and disrupted sleep (HHS). Nearly one in five teens report that social media has harmed their mental health, and almost half say it interferes with sleep (Pew Research).
Why? Platforms are designed to grab your attention, not protect your wellbeing. Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine shows that both overuse and total disconnection can worsen wellbeing, there is a “sweet spot” of moderate, mindful use. Meanwhile, there is also research that suggest that endless comparison, doom-scrolling, and emotionally charged feeds heighten stress and self-doubt.
If you grew up being judged, shamed, or constantly compared in a high-demand environment, these digital dynamics can hit harder. Seeing others’ “highlight reels” might echo the perfectionism once demanded of you. And emotionally loaded posts, fear, outrage, or “insider truth,” can stir up old reflexes of urgency and vigilance.
How social media amplifies misinformation and conspiracy thinking
In theory, social media should spread ideas and truth. In practice, it often spreads whatever keeps people scrolling.
We now know that emotion-heavy content, especially fear, anger, or surprise, is shared fastest. The more outrage a post provokes, the further it travels. Platforms reward intensity because it drives engagement. That is why misinformation (“I heard they’re hiding this from us”) often outperforms verified news.
Researchers in peer-reviewed journals such as Frontiers in Psychology found that people who rely on social media for news are more likely to believe conspiracies, particularly when feeling uncertain or powerless. The constant flood of content can create an illusion that “everyone” believes something, even if it is false.
For survivors of cults or high-demand religions, this environment can feel familiar. The language of online conspiracies (“You’ve been lied to,” “Only the awakened see the truth”) mirrors indoctrination tactics. When you have been conditioned to distrust mainstream information or to see outsiders as deceived, algorithmic echo chambers can easily re-activate those frameworks.
Recognizing misinformation and manipulative content
Here are a few red flags to look for when scrolling:
Strong emotional pull: Fear, anger, or disgust designed to make you share fast.
Us-vs-them framing: “Everyone on the ‘other side’ is evil,” “We are superior to them.”
No credible sources: “Anonymous insider” or “someone I trust said…”
Closed echo chambers: You only see one narrative and dissenting voices are mocked or banned.
Algorithmic déjà vu: Suddenly, every post in your feed reinforces the same idea.
Unverifiable claims: “They don’t want you to know this.”
Merging unrelated topics: Health, purity, and spirituality twisted into one grand plot; for example, “Vaccines are part of a plan to separate believers from true followers.”
If a post makes you feel panicked, self-righteous, or desperate to act immediately, pause. Step away, take a breath, and fact-check before engaging. That is not to say that correct news/information cannot make you feel panicked or disregulated; however, making quick decisions, commenting, or reposting when you are panicked is not going to be beneficial in anyway.
Why cult survivors are especially vulnerable
Leaving a high-control group often means rebuilding your worldview from the ground up. That period of searching, “Who can I trust? Where do I belong?,” can make people more susceptible to groups or accounts promising certainty, belonging, or special knowledge.
Conspiracy spaces online can replicate the structure of the old system: charismatic leaders, black-and-white thinking, secrecy, and moral superiority. It is not weakness, this is human psychology. When our brains crave safety or belonging, we are wired to notice patterns and narratives that make chaos feel explainable. Recognizing that vulnerability is the first step toward protecting yourself.
Practical ways to protect your mental health online
Know your “why.” Before opening an app, ask: What am I here for? Connection, information, or distraction? Setting intention disrupts autopilot scrolling.
Set boundaries. Try app-timers or screen-free hours. Turn off notifications after 9 p.m.; your nervous system will thank you.
Diversify information. Follow reputable outlets with different perspectives. Don’t rely on one feed for all your news. Gather some of your news outside social media platforms.
Notice your body. Does your chest tighten? Does your stomach drop? That is a sign your nervous system is activated. Log off and regulate before continuing.
Curate consciously. Unfollow accounts that trigger shame or fear. Follow pages that ground you in reality and compassion.
Rebuild connection offline. Digital spaces can’t replace eye contact, laughter, or nature.
Seek professional support. If online exposure fuels anxiety, hopelessness, or compulsive checking, therapy can help you untangle the deeper layers.
Social media is not purely good or evil, but it is powerful. It mirrors both our longing for connection and our deepest fears of disconnection. For those recovering from high-demand groups, it can replay patterns of manipulation or become a place to practice autonomy and discernment.
By staying aware of how algorithms shape emotion, grounding in reality, and nurturing real-life relationships, you can use these platforms in a way that supports, rather than hijacks, your healing.
Reach out if you are interested in starting therapy or learning more.
Further Reading & Resources
U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Scientific American: How Social Media Spreads Conspiracy Theories
Book: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Book: Network Propaganda by Benkler, Faris & Roberts
Disclaimer:
⚠️ The content on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes ONLY and should NOT be considered a substitute for personal professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading these posts does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
If you are currently in crisis, experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are in need of immediate support, please call 911 or contact a crisis line such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.) or access your local emergency services.
These blog posts are written to explore topics like trauma, religious deconstruction, cults, identity development, and mental wellness in a thoughtful and compassionate way. They may (or may not) resonate deeply, especially for those healing from complex trauma, but they are NOT meant to replace individualized therapy or medical care.
