The surprising mindless habit practiced by millions that may be increasing your risk of cancer

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.’ 

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.

In the study, scientists surveyed 143 students at Princeton High School in New Jersey on their social media and product use. 

Overall, the students reported spending two hours and 35 minutes on social media every day, with Instagram and YouTube being the most popular platforms.

Of the students, nearly 40 percent reported following an influencer with a product line while 40 percent said they had bought products from the internet.

All used personal care products such as soap, toothpaste and shampoo, but many also reported using fragrances and make-up. Girls used about twice as many products as boys.

After adjusting for factors such as gender and grade, researchers found a clear link between social media and product use.

Those who followed influencers with product lines were found to be using 30 percent more products than those who did not follow these influencers on average. 

Those who reported watching hair and beauty tutorials were found to use 40 percent more products than those who did not.

The names of the products were not revealed, but researchers raised concerns that they could contain phthalates, parabens, phenols or other chemicals that may affect hormones and someone’s risk of developing cancer.

None of the students were diagnosed with cancer during the study period, but the researchers warned that their product use could raise their risk of the disease later in life.

Among the students, only 19 percent said they checked the ingredient list for products and five percent regularly used an app or website intended to identify healthier products.

Previous research has already linked regular social media use to behavioral problems and a higher risk of a diagnosis with ADHD, depression or anxiety. 

This paper is among the first to draw a potential link between social media use and cancer. 

About eight in 10 adults use social media, often checking in for about two hours and 24 minutes per day. Among teenagers, this surges to more than four hours per day, according to some surveys.

Although there is no established metric for how long social media use is healthy, experts generally recommend spending less than two hours per day on the platforms.

The study was published in the Journal of Exposure, Science and Environmental Epidemiology.