Researchers have concluded that there is a habit most people indulge in during the evenings that increases the likelihood of experiencing disturbing nightmares during sleep. According to the study, this behavior leading to nightmares and unsettling dreams at night is browsing social media before bedtime, a routine many people engage in daily.
As reported by the British newspaper "Daily Mail," researchers believe that using apps before sleeping can elevate stress and anxiety levels, which have long been linked to sleep issues and negative dreams. This discovery comes at a time when surveys indicate that up to three-quarters of Americans use social media around bedtime.
Reza Shabahang, the lead author of the study and a professor of psychology and social work at Australia's Flinders University, stated: "As social media becomes increasingly intertwined with our lives, its impact extends beyond waking hours and may affect our dreams."
Participants were asked to complete a 14-question survey, known as the Social Media Nightmare Scale (SMNS), assessing the types of nightmares and their frequency. The study indicated: "Participants were specifically directed to focus on nightmares—those distressing dreams that awaken them from sleep—aiming to capture nightmares rather than general bad dreams."
The study noted, "Items were designed to focus on themes of helplessness, loss of control, inhibition, abuse, and making mistakes in the world of social media." Response options ranged from zero (never) to seven (several times a week).
Results showed that the most common nightmare was being unable to log into social media platforms, followed by "disrupting relationships with other social media users." The study found that nightmares could arise from stress associated with maintaining an online presence, online bullying, online hatred, or online stalking.
It also revealed that those who reported using social media more frequently and felt a stronger emotional connection to it experienced media-related nightmares more often. Participants were divided into two groups—those older than 27 years and those younger—averaging 27.75 years, with no significant differences found between age groups or genders.
Researchers reported that while the number of participants experiencing social media-related nightmares was rare, those who did were linked to excessive use of "Facebook" and "Instagram" before bed. The study did not specify the number of participants suffering from nightmares attributable to social media use.
Stressful social media events, such as online bullying, may contribute to increased anxiety levels, decreased peace of mind, and poor sleep quality, similar to severe psychological issues like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
