Digital wellness and the psychological impact of social media

Experts are highlighting the importance of digital recalibration to combat attention fatigue and the psychological strain caused by constant connectivity. Rather than radical, short-term breaks that often lead to compulsive usage upon return, a more sustainable approach involves renegotiating boundaries with technology to restore mental hygiene.

Psychologist Cristina Bălan notes that social media content can intentionally trigger negative emotions through a tactic known as “rage bait,” where posts are designed to provoke anger to drive engagement and comments. This phenomenon can leave users feeling internally unsettled despite achieving high view counts for the creator.

To protect mental well-being, specialists recommend being selective about online content and exercising the right to “unfollow” accounts that do not contribute positively to one's life, regardless of an influencer's popularity or social pressure to stay informed.