This One Destructive Habit Is Quietly Taking Over Right Now—and Most People Don’t Even Notice

Question: 

What is the biggest negative behavior that people are struggling with right now?

Answer: 

Based on 2025–2026 data, the biggest negative behaviors people are currently struggling with revolve around digital compulsivity (specifically social media/smartphone overuse), "revenge bedtime" procrastination, and persistent negative self-talk/mindsets. [1, 2]  

These behaviors are heavily linked to rising anxiety, depression, and burnout, often serving as unhealthy coping mechanisms for economic stress and a sense of losing control over daily schedules. [1, 3]  

Here is a breakdown of the most significant negative behaviors and habits: 

1. Digital Overuse and "Screen Addiction" 

• The Behavior: Compulsive scrolling, checking phones for notifications, and excessive social media use. 

• The Struggle: Experts describe this as "screen addiction," where users compulsively check devices, causing high stress, poor focus, and feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, or FOMO (fear of missing out). 

• Context: AI-content addiction is on the rise, contributing to a "toxic well-being" for many. [1, 4]  

2. "Revenge Bedtime" Procrastination 

• The Behavior: Intentionally staying up too late to gain free time, even when it cuts into necessary sleep. 

• The Struggle: This is a top, widespread habit in 2025–2026, often happening because people feel they have little control over their daily schedules. 

• Impact: Leads to poor sleep, which in turn exacerbates anxiety, depression, and lowers productivity the next day. [1, 2, 5]  

3. Failure Mindset and Self-Defeating Talk 

• The Behavior: Engaging in chronic self-doubt, such as thinking "I can't," "I'm not good enough," or "I'm going to fail". 

• The Struggle: This fosters a "failure mindset" that creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, preventing individuals from taking opportunities and fueling imposter syndrome. [1, 6]  

4. Other Prevalent Negative Behaviors 

• Perfectionism: The need to be perfect at all times, leading to chronic anxiety, fear of failure, and dissatisfaction. 

• Social Disconnection/Isolation: Despite being connected online, many report increased loneliness. 

• Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Substance use, emotional eating, and avoiding problems are common reactions to stress. 

• Overspending/Impulse Shopping: Compulsive buying to deal with stress or to keep up with social media standards. [1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10]  

Summary of 2025 Trends 

Mental health professionals note that nearly 30% of Americans saw 2025 as a "bad" or "awful" year, with mental health challenges acting as a primary barrier to success. As a result, the "biggest" negative behavior is compulsively using technology to escape, which actually increases the mental health struggles it was meant to soothe. [1, 3]  

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://careersinpsychology.org/ten-worst-habits-mental-health/

[2] https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/the-bad-habits-we-re-leaving-in-2025-and-expert-tips-for-making-changes-that-stick/ar-AA1TXxn6

[3] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nearly-30-americans-mental-health-130000953.html

[4] https://www.addictionresource.net/blog/common-behavioral-addictions/

[5] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/10/what-were-doing-less-of-in-2026-plus-how-to-break-bad-habits.html

[6] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201502/8-negative-attitudes-of-chronically-unhappy-people

[7] https://positivepsychology.com/unhealthy-coping-mechanisms/

[8] https://healingpsychotherapyga.com/top-mental-health-challenges-in-2025-and-how-to-navigate-them/

[9] https://thevillatreatmentcenter.com/what-are-natural-addictions/

[10] https://medium.com/@mrgyang2001/15-things-to-stop-doing-before-2025-8f8139314fe2