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Cybersmile 2026 Digital Wellbeing Report

Digital Wellbeing (2026)

A national US report exploring the impact of social media, AI, and algorithms on digital wellbeing.

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15
Questions

The number of questions asked

16+
Demographic

The age of respondents

1000
Respondents

The number of participants

US
Territory

The region of the research

To what extent, if at all, do AI deepfakes concern you?

73% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about AI deepfakes.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent, if at all, does AI misinformation concern you?

79% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about AI misinformation.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent, if at all, do AI-related mental health problems & delusions concern you?

68% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about AI-related mental health problems.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent, if at all, does AI-related harassment & abuse concern you?

65% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about AI-related harassment and abuse.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent, if at all, does AI's role in dangerous ideologies concern you?

72% of respondents indicated that they were concerned about AI and dangerous ideologies.

Respondents selected a single option

How often, if ever, has your social media use negatively affected your mental health?

66% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected their mental health.

Respondents selected a single option

How often, if ever, have social media algorithms negatively affected your mental health?

67% of respondents indicated that social media algorithms had negatively affected their mental health.

Respondents selected a single option

How often, if ever, has social media negatively affected the way you feel about your body?

56% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected the way they feel about their body.

Respondents selected a single option

How often, if ever, has content on social media made you feel pressured to be perfect?

54% of respondents indicated that social media had made them feel pressured to be perfect.

Respondents selected a single option

How often, if ever, have you felt unsatisfied with your life when comparing it to others on social media?

61% of respondents indicated that they felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media.

Respondents selected a single option

How often, if ever, have you been cyberbullied or abused online?

41% of respondents indicated that they had been cyberbullied or abused online.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel addicted to bad news online

23% of respondents indicated that they felt addicted to bad news online.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel safe to share my opinions and views online

28% of respondents indicated that they did not feel safe to share their opinions and views online.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I am worried that I have a social media addiction

27% of respondents indicated that they are worried they have a social media addiction.

Respondents selected a single option

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel better when I spend less time on social media

49% of respondents indicated that they felt better when they spent less time on social media.

Respondents selected a single option

“This research shows that awareness of online risks around social media, cyberbullying, and emerging issues is high. However, we also know that the vast majority of people feel helpless to protect themselves and lack strategies to engage with digital media safely in a way that safeguards their health and wellbeing.”

Deborah Gilboa
Dr. Debi GilboaCybersmile Advisory Panel

Overview

Digital Wellbeing 2026 explores the impact of social media, artificial intelligence, and algorithm-driven systems on mental health, behavior, and overall wellbeing in the United States.

The study surveyed participants across the US, examining how social media and digital technologies shape emotional wellbeing, self-image, and everyday online behavior. Key areas of focus include cyberbullying, AI-generated content, algorithmic content delivery, smartphone use, and social comparison pressures.

Artificial intelligence and emerging online risks

Findings show widespread concern around the influence of emerging technologies in online spaces, particularly in relation to misinformation, deepfakes, dangerous ideologies, and harmful or distressing content. A significant proportion of respondents also report negative impacts on mental health linked to both social media use and algorithmic systems that determine what content is seen and amplified.

Social media, identity, and online harm

The research highlights the continued impact of social media on identity and self-perception, with many respondents reporting pressure to meet unrealistic standards and reduced wellbeing linked to comparison with others online. Cyberbullying and online abuse remain persistent issues, with many individuals reporting reduced confidence and self-censorship in digital environments.

Habit formation and user wellbeing

Alongside this, the report identifies emerging behavioral patterns linked to consumption, including concerns around social media dependency, negative news exposure, and the emotional impact of time spent online.

Cybersmile insights

Digital Wellbeing 2026 forms part of Cybersmile's ongoing Insights program, developed with input from experts across mental health, wellbeing, research, parenting, and youth development, and aims to support practical, evidence-led approaches to improving digital wellbeing.

Key takeaways

  • 73% were concerned about AI deepfakes.
  • 79% were concerned about AI misinformation.
  • 68% were concerned about AI-related mental health problems.
  • 65% were concerned about AI-related harassment and abuse.
  • 72% were concerned about AI and dangerous ideologies.
  • 66% said social media had negatively affected their mental health.
  • 67% said social media algorithms had negatively affected their mental health.
  • 56% said social media had negatively affected the way they feel about their body.
  • 54% said social media had made them feel pressured to be perfect.
  • 61% felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media.
  • 41% had been cyberbullied or abused online.
  • 23% felt addicted to bad news online.
  • 28% did not feel safe to share their opinions and views online.
  • 27% were worried they have a social media addiction.
  • 49% felt better when they spent less time on social media.

Method

The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Cybersmile across the United States with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 general respondents aged 16+ between 04.13.2026 and 04.16.2026.

Citation

The Cybersmile Foundation (2026). Digital Wellbeing Report (2026): A national US report exploring the impact of social media, AI, and algorithms on digital wellbeing.