The internet, a ubiquitous tool for connection and information, casts a long shadow on mental
well-being. A groundbreaking study from MIT researchers reveals a concerning feedback loop:
individuals struggling with mental health issues are more likely to consume negative online
content, and this consumption, in turn, exacerbates their symptoms. This creates a vicious cycle
that can significantly impact an individual’s emotional state and overall health.

The research, published in Nature Human Behavior, involved a comprehensive analysis of the
online browsing habits of over 1,000 participants. Utilizing natural language processing,
researchers assigned positive and negative scores to each webpage visited, along with scores
reflecting various emotions like anger, fear, sadness, and joy. Participants also completed mental
health questionnaires and reported their moods before and after browsing sessions.

The results painted a clear picture: individuals with poorer mental health exhibited a strong
tendency to gravitate towards negative online content. This wasn’t merely a correlation; the study
established a causal link. In a controlled experiment, participants were randomly exposed to
either negative or neutral web pages. Those exposed to negativity reported significantly worse
moods afterward, demonstrating the direct impact of online negativity on mental well-being.
Furthermore, participants with initially negative moods were more likely to subsequently seek
out more negative content during a free-browsing period.

The study’s authors, Tali Sharot (an adjunct professor at MIT and professor at University College
London) and Christopher A. Kelly (now a postdoc at Stanford University), highlight the
significance of content type in understanding the relationship between online behavior and
mental health. Unlike previous research that focused on screen time or frequency of social media
use, this study pinpoints the affective properties of online content as a key driver of this negative
feedback loop. “Our study shows a causal, bidirectional relationship between health and what
you do online,” Sharot explains. “People who already have mental health symptoms are more
likely to go online and browse for information that ends up being negative or fearful. After
browsing this content, their symptoms become worse. It is a feedback loop.”

Recognizing the need for intervention, the researchers developed a practical solution: the
“Digital Diet” plug-in. This tool analyzes Google search results and assigns scores based on the
emotional tone (positive or negative), knowledge value, and actionability of the content. This
allows users to make more informed choices about the information they consume, potentially
breaking the cycle of negativity. The tool was developed with the help of MIT electrical
engineering and computer science graduate student Jonatan Fontanez. Its public release coincides
with the publication of the study, offering a tangible tool to combat the detrimental effects of
negative online content.

“People with worse mental health tend to seek out more-negative and fear-inducing content,
which in turn exacerbates their symptoms, creating a vicious feedback loop,” Kelly explains. “It
is our hope that this tool can help them gain greater autonomy over what enters their minds and break negative cycles.” The “Digital Diet” plug-in represents a significant step towards empowering individuals to take control of their online experiences and protect their mental health in the digital age. The research serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mindful internet usage and the need for tools and strategies to promote healthier online habits.