Doomscrolling Through 2025: Social Media Anxiety in Full Swing

Friday, January 17, 2025.

If you’re a proud doomscroller—or just a casual worrier—congratulations, you’re living in a time where anxiety has never been more on-trend.

Social media in 2025 is like a buffet of existential dread: there’s something for everyone, whether you’re nibbling on climate change panic, feasting on AI job-stealing paranoia, or sipping a cocktail of political and cultural turmoil.

It’s all served up with real-time reports, expert analysis, and just the right amount of clickbait to keep you awake at night.

Let’s break it down:

Economic Uncertainty and AI Disruption

AI is no longer just the stuff of sci-fi; it’s here, and it’s stealing jobs faster than a robot on espresso. People are worried about everything from wage stagnation to whether we’re hurtling toward a dystopia run by algorithms. The robots might not take over, but the anxiety about them already has.

Climate Change and Environmental Catastrophes

Climate change is the ultimate hot topic—literally. Wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events dominate timelines, fueling eco-anxiety and guilt. Social media piles on with calls for action, while users are left wondering if their recycled soda can is enough to save the planet.

Political Polarization and Election Integrity

After the circus that was the 2024 election, political divisions are as wide as the Grand Canyon, with echo chambers amplifying fears of fraud, unrest, and democracy in crisis. It’s like a never-ending reality show, except no one’s winning.

Mental Health Crises

Anxiety, depression, loneliness—pick your poison. Social media shines a harsh light on the curated lives of others, leaving many to wonder if they’re doing life wrong. And if you’re comparing yourself to a virtual influencer with a perfect filter, you’ll always come up short.

Social and Cultural Identity Conflicts

Gender, race, free speech—it’s all up for debate, and no one’s leaving the comment section unscathed. Social media turns these complex issues into gladiator matches, leaving people exhausted, defensive, and wondering why they even opened the app.

Surveillance and Privacy

Big Tech knows more about you than your best friend, and that’s not comforting. Data breaches and constant tracking have users worrying about whether they’ve got any privacy left. They don’t.

Family and Relationship Dynamics

Relationships are in the spotlight, with social media showcasing everything from “quiet quitting” marriages to digital infidelity. It’s hard to connect with your partner when everyone’s glued to their phones, but hey, at least you can DM your complaints to a meme page.

Generational Tensions

Boomers blame Millennials and Gen Z for cultural decay; younger generations clap back about climate inaction and bad financial advice. TikTok’s filled with jokes, but the tension is real. At least everyone agrees to disagree.

The Rise of Artificial Intimacy

AI companions and chatbots are replacing human connection for some, raising the question: are we losing our ability to relate to real people? If your best friend is a bot, it might be time to take a break.

Misinformation and Deepfakes

Deepfake technology has gotten so convincing that users can’t always tell what’s real anymore. Whether it’s fake news or a doctored video, the result is the same: a trust crisis that fuels even more anxiety.

Global Instability

With tensions brewing between global powers, social media amplifies fears of war, cyberattacks, and economic fallout. If the news doesn’t scare you, the comments section probably will.

The Future of Education

From debates over AI in the classroom to the rising cost of college, education feels like it’s teetering on the brink. Parents worry about how to prepare their kids for a future that’s changing faster than a viral TikTok trend.

Social Media’s Impact on Children

Screen time, cyberbullying, and emotional health dominate parenting discussions. Everyone’s worried about how social media is shaping the next generation, but no one’s entirely sure what to do about it.

Final Worries

So there you have it: the top anxieties keeping America awake and inflamed in 2025.

While these issues are undeniably serious, social media itself often fuels the fire with its unique ability to turn every concern into a full-blown existential crisis.

It’s like the place where Limbic Capitalism and Cultural Narcissism meet up to plot our collective downfall.

Take a deep breath, unplug when you can, and remember: you’re not alone in this digital storm. Be kind to yourself and others. Godspeed, doomscrollers!