Algorithmic Anxiety — When AI Decides What We Feel ~ Dr. Manju Antil | Counseling Psychologist | Psychotherapist

In today’s digital world, our sense of identity, belonging, and even happiness is subtly curated by algorithms. What appears on our feeds — who we see, what we believe, and how we react — is no longer an organic process of exploration. It’s a data-driven design.

The Rise of Algorithmic Anxiety

“Algorithmic Anxiety” refers to the growing unease individuals feel knowing that invisible algorithms determine their digital visibility and worth. Among Generation G — a cohort born into the algorithmic era — this anxiety has become both a cognitive and emotional reality.

A student once shared in my counselling session, “I post something, and if it doesn’t get engagement in the first hour, I delete it. It feels like rejection — not from people, but from the algorithm.”
This statement captures the psychological evolution of modern self-worth — one deeply tied to algorithmic approval rather than human validation.

The Psychology Behind It

The core mechanism here is intermittent reinforcement, the same principle that governs addictive behaviour. Each notification, like, or comment releases dopamine — a short-term pleasure response. But unpredictability makes it powerful; we never know when the next “hit” will come, keeping us hooked.

Over time, individuals internalize algorithmic logic — shaping their posts, emotions, and even opinions to “fit” the system. The result is a subtle erosion of authentic self-expression, replaced by algorithmic conformity.

Consequences for Mental Health

Low Self-Esteem: Constant comparison of digital performance with others leads to an unstable self-image.
Social Burnout: Continuous engagement pressure generates emotional exhaustion.
Loss of Agency: Users start feeling powerless over how they are perceived or ranked.
Emotional Dysregulation: Fluctuating feedback cycles disturb mood stability and confidence.

Therapeutic and Educational Interventions

As psychologists, our approach must now include digital literacy therapy — helping individuals understand that algorithms are not arbiters of worth but mechanisms of attention economy.
Educators can integrate “algorithmic awareness” sessions into classroom discussions to foster critical digital mindfulness — an awareness of how engagement is engineered.

Simple mindfulness-based practices, such as intentional logging off, conscious posting, and reflective journaling about digital emotions, can help reclaim autonomy from algorithmic dictates.

A Forward View

Algorithmic anxiety isn’t merely a technological byproduct — it’s a new psychological landscape that redefines self-perception and social belonging.
The next phase of psychological research must focus on algorithmic emotionality — how emotions are not just expressed but co-created with AI systems.

Generation G doesn’t just live with technology — they live through it. And our role, as psychologists and educators, is to ensure they don’t lose themselves within it.