Research from Aalto University in Finland reveals that online shopping may be more stressful than engaging with news, checking emails, or viewing adult content. Published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research on January 12, 2026, the study indicates that online shopping correlates with heightened stress levels among users.
The findings suggest that while the internet can serve both as a source of stress relief and a contributor to stress, online shopping leads to increased anxiety. Doctoral researcher Mohammad Belal states, “Previous studies have shown that social media and online shopping are often used to relieve stress. However, our results show that a rise in social media use or online shopping is linked to an increase in self-reported stress across multiple user groups and across devices.”
The research involved monitoring nearly 1,500 adults over a seven-month period and analyzing data from approximately 47 million web visits and 14 million app usages. Participants reported stress levels associated with various online activities, revealing that time spent on social media was twice as likely to be linked to stress compared to time spent gaming. Interestingly, those who frequently consumed content on news sites or adult entertainment reported lower stress levels.
Insights on Internet Usage and Stress
The study found a notable trend: individuals who spent significant time on news sites reported less stress than those who did not. However, it also highlighted that those experiencing high stress were less likely to engage with news content. Belal notes, “Somewhat surprisingly, people who spent a lot of time on news sites reported less stress than others.”
Women in the study reported higher stress levels than men, while older and wealthier participants tended to experience less stress overall. The researchers suggest that the brief engagement with adult content might provide a temporary relief from stress, acting as a short-term distraction.
This research comes at a critical moment when the impact of social media on well-being is under intense scrutiny. The recent ban on social media use for children in Australia has drawn international attention, raising questions about the potential consequences of restricting internet access.
The Need for Further Research
Despite the significant findings, Belal emphasizes the necessity for further investigation into the relationship between internet usage and stress. “It leaves a huge critical gap in understanding how online behaviors impact stress and well-being,” he explains. Assistant professor Juhi Kulshrestha adds that the study’s unique approach of tracking actual usage, rather than relying solely on self-reported data, provides valuable insights.
Moving forward, the researchers intend to explore the effects of different types of news consumption—such as political, entertainment, or sports news—on stress and other well-being variables. They hope that improved data will inform the development of tools aimed at helping users maintain a healthier balance in their online activities.
“As we gain increasingly accurate information about people’s internet usage, it will be possible to design new kinds of tools that people can use to regulate their browsing and improve their well-being,” Kulshrestha states.
In summary, the Aalto University study highlights the complex relationship between online shopping, social media, and stress. As digital behaviors continue to shape our lives, understanding their implications on mental health remains essential for both individuals and policymakers.
