It might not be a lack of confidence or ambition holding you back. A new study suggests a common daily habit could be quietly rewiring our appetite for risk.
Researchers from Stanford University have found a strong link between high social media use and a decrease in real-world risk-taking. The study, published this week in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, focused on adults aged 18 to 30 and analyzed their daily choices over a two-year period.
How ‘perfect’ lives lead to playing it safe
The core of the issue seems to be constant exposure to highly curated lives online. According to the report, seeing an endless stream of success stories, without the messy process of failure, makes people more afraid to fail themselves. This fear can prevent them from taking on important new challenges in their careers and personal lives.
The effect was observed in several key areas. Participants with the highest social media consumption were less likely to apply for a challenging job, start a new hobby, or even initiate a conversation with a stranger when compared to those with limited exposure.
- A 20% lower likelihood of pursuing a career change was noted among heavy social media users.
- Participants reported increased anxiety about ‘not measuring up’ to online peers.
- There was a measurable decline in spontaneous, non-planned social activities.
The research highlights a previously underexplored psychological impact of modern digital life. It suggests that what we see online can directly influence the boldness of the choices we make offline.
