logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2017
25m 12s

Ep. 68: Schadenfacebook

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode
Millions of people around the world use social media every day to stay in touch with friends and family. But ironically, studies have shown that people who spend more time on these sites feel more socially isolated than those who don't. This week on Hidden Brain, we explore the psychological effects that social media has on us, and how FOMO — or, the fear of ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
What Art Does For Your Brain
Think about the last time a piece of music stopped you in your tracks, or a novel kept you up late at night. Why do these experiences feel so powerful? Psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt says engagement with the arts can help to regulate our emotions, build resilience, and support lo ... Show More
49m 18s
Aug 17
How to Be A Better Partner
When we look at the people we love, how clearly do we really see them? This week, we talk with psychologist Edward Lemay about how our fears, desires, and insecurities can shape our perceptions of our partners — sometimes creating the very reality we expect. He explains how we ca ... Show More
1h 26m
Aug 10
How Feelings Make Us Smarter
Some people are remarkably good at reading the emotional temperature of a situation. They can pick up on what others are feeling, manage their own emotions, and respond skillfully. What's their secret? This week, we explore the science of emotional intelligence with psychologist ... Show More
48m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
How Social Media Attacks Your Attention Span
What's the longest amount of time you've spent away from social media? For many of us, the answer is "not long." Across the planet, billions of people are caught in an endless cycle of posting, reposting, commenting, liking, and reacting to a constant stream of ephemera -- a neve ... Show More
1h 5m
Apr 2022
Social Media vs. Reality
Social media can be a tool that you use for knowledge, inspiration and connection, that enriches the life you already love. Or social media can be a nagging reminder of all the things you hate about yourself. It all depends on what you choose to believe. In this episode, Khadeen ... Show More
1h 7m
Nov 2022
39 - Is Social Media Stealing Our Happiness?
Are we living too much in our phones? This episode we discuss our relationship with social media and how it has affected our mental health over the years. We all know social media isn’t going anywhere but we’ve given you some tips on navigating the balance of our phones and real ... Show More
40m 31s
Mar 2020
social media
Social media. It’s in all of our lives. Most of the time, it can be used for good to connect us with each other. But sometimes, it can be a place of negativity and false realities that can really affect our wellbeing. Emma talks through her experiences with the ups and downs of s ... Show More
44m 18s
Jun 2023
How Social Media Affects The Types Of Friends We Make
Do you think social media traps you into only making friends with people you have mutuals with? Does it make it harder to get out of your social bubble? In this episode, we talk about how we decide who to be friends with, if mutuals make us more or less likely to be friend with s ... Show More
40m 10s
Mar 2021
Seeking Connection and Social Media Addiction
<p>Social media addiction is real, and what we don't often talk about is the driver beneath that addiction: Connection. In this episode, I shine light on how excessive online usage is a cry for what we're missing in reality.</p> 
8m 30s
Mar 2022
27. Is social media corrupting your brain?
This week we discuss the psychology of social media: how it controls our behaviours, social comparison and the what makes tiktok so addictive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
39m 18s
Mar 2022
It’s Time to Stop Doom Scrolling
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok – let’s face it, social media has become a central part of our lives. It’s where we make friends, find community, and entertain ourselves, but it can also be harmful for our mental health. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? CNN Chief Medical ... Show More
27m 58s
Jul 2022
Why You Need To Break Your Social Media Dependency
More than 330 million people suffer from social media addiction worldwide – using it as a way to escape, leading to information overload and unrealistic expectations. Isa Watson decided to change that by shifting from physical scientist to social scientist and building Squad, the ... Show More
39m 56s