Social media often recommends posts about mental health, like emotions, coping tips, recovery stories, or personal experiences. If you watch, like, or comment on this kind of content, the algorithm learns and may show you more of it.
Over time, your feed can fill up with mental-health-related posts — even if you only clicked on one video or your feelings have changed since then. Algorithms don’t always notice when you want something different, so the same themes can keep coming back.
Understanding this helps you realise that your feed is shaped by the algorithm, not by what you “need” or who you are. Knowing how it works can help you make choices about what you engage with and how you look after your wellbeing online.
"I think, when [recovery content] is genuine, it is good. There are two cases where it’s bad. I think when they’re just doing it in a performative way so, they’re not genuinely trying to recover, they just want to get, “Oh, well done, so proud of you.” Also sometimes, even if it’s recovery content, it can still remind you of being in need of help which then, I think, is sometimes worse."
"That one is [self-harm related]. I was actually quite shocked to see this one on my ‘For You’ page because I knew I hadn’t interacted with anything like this in a long time but it’s, basically, talking about how, even if someone’s already apologised, they’ve already taken it upon themselves to self-harm. It’s a relatable content video, so the comments were people relating to it. I was quite disturbed when I saw it because I, obviously, have a connection with that from my past so it was more triggering to me than, I think, some of the other videos."
I think a lot of social media can be quite bad. When you're younger, I’d say like age 14... I feel like that's when I would have been most susceptible to stuff that was being presented to me. I’ve seen people talking about issues like self-harm. And that's coming from a perspective of having overcome it and stuff but I’m also aware that if as a young person you're getting fed content about self-harm or you're seeing people with really negative eating habits…
Social media often shows posts about mental health, like feeling sad, anxious, stressed, or trying to recover from tough experiences. This can be helpful. Seeing people talk honestly about their feelings can make you feel less alone and more understood.
But it can also have downsides. If you’re already feeling low, your feed might start showing more and more similar content. Instead of helping you feel better, this can keep you focused on negative feelings. Something that feels supportive one day might feel upsetting or triggering on another.
Some recovery content is positive, but it can also cause pressure — especially if it focuses too much on labels, appearance, or struggles, or if it feels unrealistic. This can lead to comparison or bring up things people are trying to move on from.
Social media platforms don’t always notice when your needs change, which can make it feel like you don’t have much control over your feed.
• How could algorithms change what someone thinks is “normal” when it comes to talking about mental health?
• What responsibilities do you think social media platforms have when recommending mental-health-related content?
• How could algorithms change what someone thinks is “normal” when it comes to talking about mental health?
• What responsibilities do you think social media platforms have when recommending mental-health-related content?
• If you notice your mood dipping, switch to a Following tab (people you have chosen to follow), or search for a positive topic (e.g., music/animals/sport).
• Tap Not interested or Show less the moment something feels triggering, even if it’s relatable.
• Many apps have 'Clear watch history / Reset For You / Clear search history' fuctions. Use it to reset your recommendations if needed.
• If you need to talk to someone, save local/national support links in your phone (or speak to a trusted adult), and use mute words for mental health-related terms.
