Published: 05:43 BST, 18 August 2026 | Updated: 05:43 BST, 18 August 2026
It's an easy easy way to pass the time on a train, in a waiting room or when insomnia hits.
But now, researchers are warning that scrolling on social media could lead to off-phone behaviors that increase your cancer risk.
While on social media, users may be flooded by influencers or advertisements touting skin care, fragrance or make up items, leading to a flurry of online impulse buying.
However, many beauty and personal hygiene products contain cancer-causing or hormone-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, parabens and 'forever chemicals'.
According to the researchers at Rutgers University, who led the study, using more of these products, influenced by social media, leads to a person having greater exposure to these chemicals, which may raise their risk of suffering from cancer.
Dr Emily Barrett, a biostatistician who led the study, said: 'We often hear that social media may hurt kids' mental health and socioemotional development.
'This study suggests another cause for concern: Social media's potential to increase the use of personal care products that often include hormone-disrupting and potentially carcinogenic chemicals.
'Teenagers… are undergoing rapid changes, including in their hormones. It may be a sensitive period in which better product choices could reduce chemical exposure.'
Researchers warned that using social media more often could raise the risk of suffering from cancer because of an increased use of potentially hazardous products bought off of social media applications (stock image)
Hormone-disrupting and cancer-causing chemicals are added to personal care products to boost their quality and shelf life.
Parabens, such as propylparaben, are used as preservatives in make up and other items, while phthalates, such as diethylphthalate, may help stabilize fragrances, and PFAS or 'forever chemicals' may be used in skin products to help the skin appear shinier after use.
The FDA regulates the use of these chemicals and takes action when there is reliable scientific evidence that they could be harming human health. While many of these ingredients are banned in the UK and EU, they are still permitted at certain levels in US products.
Some scientists have raised concerns, based largely on animal studies, that when someone is exposed to more of these chemicals, they may raise the risk of suffering damage to cells that can lead to cancer.
Recent reports show that PFAS are now rarely used in cosmetics, while parabens and phthalates continue to be used.