SHAH ALAM - While social media offers a platform for support and remembrance, relying on it too much can hinder healthy grieving, making balance key to navigating loss in the digital age.
Grief in the digital age looks different from the past. While people once mourned in private, today, social media offers a space to share emotions, seek comfort and keep memories alive.
For some, it is a source of healing; for others, it can deepen their sorrow.
As social media reshapes how we grieve, the question remains—does social media help us cope, or does it make it harder to let go?
Psychiatrist and Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) President Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj emphasised that in the digital age, social media has become a prevalent way for people to cope with grief.
He explained that while this option did not exist in the past, these platforms now offer spaces for individuals to process their emotions, seek support and honour the memories of those they have lost.
"Many grieving individuals share memories, post tributes, join online support groups or simply engage more frequently with digital interactions as a distraction. However, the impact of social media on grief can be both positive and negative, depending on how it is used.
"On the positive side, social media offers a sense of connection and comfort during times of loss. It allows grieving individuals to receive condolences and support from a wide community, including friends, family and even strangers.
"Online grief groups and forums can provide solidarity, especially for those who feel isolated in their mourning,” he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
Andrew highlighted those digital tributes, such as commemorative posts or dedicated pages, create a space for collective remembrance, providing an avenue for catharsis and emotional processing.
He said that sharing about loss in a public or semi-public forum allows individuals to express their grief at their own pace, making it a meaningful tool for healing.
"However, social media also presents challenges that can hinder the grieving process. Constant exposure to reminders of the loss—whether through memories, photos or posts—can make it difficult to move forward.
"Comparing one's grief experience to others online may create unrealistic expectations about how mourning ‘should’ look, potentially leading to feelings of inadequacy or prolonged distress.
"Publicly sharing deeply personal emotions also carries the risk of receiving judgment or insincere reactions, which can be emotionally draining.
"Increased screen time may serve as a distraction, preventing individuals from fully engaging with their emotions and delaying necessary healing,” he added.
Ultimately, Andrew stressed that the healthiest approach to grief involves balance.
While social media can offer support and a space for remembrance, he cautioned that it should not replace real-life coping strategies such as confiding in close friends, seeking therapy or engaging in personal rituals.
He also pointed out that although online platforms can provide comfort, they may sometimes encourage avoidance and suppress genuine emotional processing.
"Digital interactions may offer temporary relief, but they can prevent individuals from fully confronting their grief. The constant distraction of scrolling, liking and engaging with content can keep mourners occupied rather than allowing them to process their emotions.
"Posting tributes or discussing loss online may create the illusion of emotional work, yet it does not always lead to deep, meaningful healing. Instead, individuals may focus on curating posts or managing reactions, keeping their raw emotions at a distance.
"Another risk is relying too much on external validation. Receiving likes, comments, and condolences can momentarily provide comfort, but once these interactions fade, grief may feel even more isolating.
"Constantly revisiting old posts, messages or photos of the deceased can either facilitate mourning or lead to emotional numbing, as some individuals repeatedly immerse themselves in digital memories instead of taking steps toward healing,” he added.
Social media itself is not inherently harmful in the grieving process—it all depends on how it is used. When combined with offline coping mechanisms, such as personal reflection, therapy or meaningful rituals, it can be a valuable tool for support.
However, if it becomes the primary way to cope, it risks becoming an avoidance strategy that ultimately prolongs unresolved grief.