"We tell ourselves we’re just observing, that we’re above it. But this quiet curiosity is a new and subtle form of self-harm"
We’ve all been there.
You’re scrolling through social media and you spot a post—maybe something political, maybe something controversial, maybe just a celebrity photo. You don’t even realise it, but your thumb is already moving… straight to the comment section. Why? What are we really looking for?
Are you seeking confirmation of what you already expect to find? Outrage, snide remarks, cruel jabs, a familiar fight playing out in new words. Somehow, it feels irresistible. We tell ourselves we’re just observing, that we’re above it. But this quiet curiosity is a new and subtle form of self-harm.
The Mental Cost of Clicking ‘View Comments’
Research is increasingly showing a clear link between time spent engaging with comment sections and increased stress, anxiety, and low mood.
A 2023 UK study found that users who regularly engage with online comments—whether reading or posting—report significantly higher psychological distress over time (Orben et al., 2023). Another large-scale review confirmed that even passive consumption of online negativity contributes to feelings of loneliness, helplessness and depressive symptoms (Valkenburg et al., 2022).
Reading hostile or emotionally charged comments, especially in spaces where anonymity fuels aggression, can trigger our fight-or-flight response. Without even noticing it, we’re feeding our brains a steady stream of emotional volatility, and our nervous systems bear the cost.
But It’s Just Reading—How Bad Can That Be?
It turns out our brains don’t do so well at emotionally distancing themselves when we read online conflict. In fact, even second-hand exposure to online hostility can affect us on a cognitive and emotional level. We ruminate. We compare ourselves. We feel a subtle but creeping unease.
But what's worse: we often expect the negativity. We don’t just fall into comment sections by accident—we seek them out. This is known as “negativity bias” in psychology: our minds are hardwired to pay more attention to things that might be threatening or emotionally charged. But in a digital world, that bias can quickly become toxic.
The Boycott: Why I’m Saying No to Comments
So here’s the challenge I want to put out into the world:
For one week, actively avoid reading the comment sections on any social media post. No scrolling, no peeking. Just… don’t go there.
Instead, pay attention to what you immediately think and feel about any story or update you're reading, minus the curiosity or the morbid urge to check what others have to say about it, without letting the virtual noise pass in via your eyeballs
Really think about this actively, before pressing the comment icon - are you willing to test how you feel without the worlds opinion-ants infiltrating our grey matter?
Mark the start date in your calendar, and towards the end of a week, notice:
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Do you feel less reactive?
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Are your thoughts quieter?
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Does your mood hold steadier?
Let’s get conscious about a behaviour that’s become unconscious. If scrolling comments is your emotional junk food, this boycott is your cleanse.
What Happens When We Choose Better?
Choosing not to engage doesn’t mean disengaging from the world. In fact, by stepping back from the noise, we open up more space for critical thinking, intentional connection, and emotional balance.
There are healthier ways to be online. We can connect, share, laugh, cry—without taking the bait in the comments. Not every post needs our opinion. Not every thread needs our attention.
Let’s challenge ourselves—and our communities—to do better. Not just for a week, but maybe for good.
Who's with me?
Comment below if you're taking part!
References
Orben, A., Etchells, P. J., Przybylski, A. K. and Blakemore, S.-J. (2023) The association between social media use and mental health in adolescence: longitudinal evidence from the UK. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 7(1), pp. 33–42.
Valkenburg, P. M., Meier, A. and Beyens, I. (2022) ‘Social media use and its impact on adolescent mental health: An umbrella review of the evidence’, Current Opinion in Psychology, 44, pp. 58–68.
Breland, A. (2021) ‘The trouble with comment sections’, Mother Jones. Available at: https://www.motherjones.com/media/2021/10/the-trouble-with-comment-sections/
Pew Research Center (2021) The tone and nature of online discussions: a closer look at comment sections. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet
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