A new study finds picture-perfect mom posts on social media can cause serious harm to new moms, but adding a daily dose of real-life content can help lessen the emotional impact.
Scrolling through picture-perfect motherhood posts online can take a serious toll on moms’ mental health. But a new study suggests a simple fix: adding a daily dose of reality.
Researchers found seeing real, unfiltered moments of motherhood alongside idealized posts can reduce shame and boost positive emotions.
Previous research shows why. Perfect portrayals — spotless homes, happy babies, flawless moms — can raise anxiety, fuel comparisons, and undermine confidence in new moms.
The stakes are high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S.
In this study, researchers simulated social media feeds using short-form videos. Some moms saw only idealized content — others saw a mix, including daily struggles.
The results were clear. Moms who saw a mix felt less shame and more positive about motherhood.
Anxiety didn’t disappear — but the emotional impact was softer.
By contrast, moms who saw only idealized posts reported more shame and fewer positive feelings overall.
The lead author says moms don’t need to quit social media — just aim for a more balanced feed.
She’s also calling on platforms to do their part: “If algorithms worked differently to try to bring more diversity to what people see, that would be helpful.”
Source: Computers in Human Behavior
Author Affiliations: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
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