Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Age of Polarizing Web Content

The project explores how consuming polarizing content online affects mental health and wellbeing. With growing ideological divides, often fueled by web content, people may experience increased stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and decreased social acceptance and integration. The study uses web-browsing data, online questionnaires, experiments, and interviews to uncover links between polarizing content and mental health. It also tests interventions, like visual warnings, to help users recognize and avoid such content, promoting healthier browsing habits. The findings aim to guide policymakers, mental health experts, and technology designers in creating safer online environments that support mental resilience and social wellbeing.