A recent study from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has found that individuals who use the dark web report higher levels of mental health challenges compared to those who remain on the surface web. The research, led by Ryan C. Meldrum, Ph.D., director of FAU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, analyzed survey responses from 2,000 adults in the United States.
The study was published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. It focused on five indicators: depressive symptoms, paranoid thoughts, suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, and digital self-harm. According to the findings, dark web users were more likely to experience depressive symptoms and paranoia than their counterparts who only used publicly accessible websites.
Notably, adults reporting suicidal thoughts had nearly three times greater odds of using the dark web. Those engaging in non-suicidal self-injury were almost five times more likely to access these hidden online spaces. Additionally, individuals who had participated in digital self-harm—such as anonymously posting negative comments about themselves—were over 19 times more likely to report dark web use.
"Our findings suggest that many individuals who turn to the dark web may be doing so not just for privacy concerns, but as a reflection of deeper mental health struggles and the possible desire to socialize and engage in information-seeking in a context free of scrutiny that might otherwise be experienced on the surface web or offline," said Meldrum. "This underscores the need for mental health professionals to recognize and understand the hidden digital spaces some individuals may be engaging with. The dark web isn't just a technological frontier – it's a human one, where vulnerability and pain often go unseen."
The researchers highlighted potential implications for social workers and mental health practitioners. They suggest that equipping professionals with tools to safely engage with people active on the dark web could help reach vulnerable populations who might otherwise avoid detection or support.
"The dark web may seem like a world apart, but the psychological challenges many people bring into this space are very real," Meldrum added. "We cannot afford to overlook these digital environments simply because they are used by a subset of internet users. If we are committed to reaching the most vulnerable, we must be willing to engage with them – even in the more hidden corners of the internet."
Co-authors on this study include Raymond D. Partin from University of Alabama; Peter S. Lehmann from Sam Houston State University; and Salpi S. Kevorkian from Florida International University.
