Poor Mental Health Is Strongly Linked to Dark Web Use, New U.S. Study Finds

A new academic study from Florida Atlantic University has found a clear and concerning link between poor mental health and dark web use, offering one of the most detailed looks so far at who uses the dark web and why. While the dark web is often discussed in terms of illegal markets or cybersecurity threats, this research shifts the focus toward the psychological vulnerabilities of the people who spend time there.

The study draws on survey data from 2,000 adults across the United States and compares individuals who report using the dark web with those who stick to the regular, surface-level internet. The results suggest that dark web users are far more likely to experience depression, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, and digital self-harm. These findings highlight a side of the dark web that rarely gets attention: its role as a space where people struggling with mental health may seek refuge, connection, or anonymity.

What the Dark Web Is and Why It Matters

The dark web refers to a hidden portion of the internet that cannot be accessed through standard browsers or indexed by search engines like Google. It requires special software, most commonly the Tor browser, which is designed to protect user anonymity by routing traffic through multiple encrypted servers.

This architecture makes the dark web attractive to people who value privacy, including journalists, whistleblowers, and political dissidents. At the same time, its anonymity has also made it a hub for illegal activity. What has been far less explored, until now, is how this privacy-first environment intersects with mental health.

Researchers note that the dark web has existed for more than two decades, yet systematic studies comparing the mental health of dark web users to surface web users have been surprisingly rare. This gap in research is partly due to the difficulty of studying anonymous online behavior.

Inside the Florida Atlantic University Study

The new research was led by Ryan C. Meldrum, Ph.D., Director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University, along with collaborators from the University of Alabama, Sam Houston State University, Florida International University, and other institutions.

Using nationally representative survey data, the researchers examined whether people who reported dark web use differed from surface web users across five specific mental health indicators:

Depressive symptoms
Paranoid thoughts
Suicidal ideation
Non-suicidal self-injury, such as cutting or burning oneself
Digital self-harm, defined as anonymously posting negative or hurtful comments about oneself online

Rather than focusing on criminal behavior, the study centered on psychological well-being, making it one of the most comprehensive efforts to date to understand the mental health profile of dark web users.

The Most Striking Findings

The differences between dark web users and surface web users were both statistically significant and substantial.

People who reported experiencing suicidal thoughts were nearly three times more likely to say they had used the dark web. Those who reported non-suicidal self-injury were almost five times more likely to be dark web users.

The strongest association emerged with digital self-harm. Individuals who admitted to anonymously posting negative comments about themselves online were found to be more than 19 times more likely to report dark web use. This connection stood out even after accounting for other factors.

In addition, dark web users consistently reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and paranoid thinking compared to those who only used the surface web. These patterns suggest that dark web use is closely tied to emotional distress and psychological vulnerability, rather than being a purely technical or curiosity-driven activity.

What the Results Do and Do Not Mean

Importantly, the researchers do not claim that using the dark web causes mental health problems. Instead, the findings point to a selection effect, where individuals already experiencing distress may be drawn to spaces that offer anonymity and reduced social judgment.

The dark web’s structure allows people to seek information, interact with others, or explore sensitive topics without fear of being identified. For someone dealing with depression, paranoia, or thoughts of self-harm, this lack of visibility may feel safer than engaging on mainstream social media platforms or in offline settings.

In this sense, the dark web may function as a psychological refuge, even if it also exposes users to harmful content or reinforces negative thought patterns.

Why Digital Self-Harm Stands Out

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the study is the strong link between dark web use and digital self-harm. Unlike traditional self-injury, digital self-harm involves creating anonymous accounts to post insults, threats, or degrading comments about oneself.

This behavior is still relatively understudied, but researchers believe it may serve as a coping mechanism for people struggling with shame, self-loathing, or a desire to externalize inner pain. The extreme odds ratio found in this study suggests that digital self-harm and dark web use may share common psychological drivers, such as secrecy, anonymity, and emotional isolation.

Implications for Mental Health Professionals

The findings carry important implications for social workers, therapists, counselors, and mental health researchers. Many professionals focus on visible platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or online forums when assessing digital behavior, but this study suggests that hidden online spaces also matter.

Understanding that some vulnerable individuals may be engaging with the dark web could help practitioners better assess risk, tailor interventions, and develop outreach strategies that acknowledge these environments rather than ignoring them.

At a broader level, the study raises questions about how mental health support can adapt to an internet where significant portions of emotional expression occur outside the public eye.

Why Awareness Matters Beyond Clinical Settings

The researchers also emphasize the importance of awareness among parents, educators, and policymakers. Just as conversations around problematic social media use have become more common, there may be value in recognizing that dark web use can sometimes signal underlying distress, rather than criminal intent alone.

This does not mean that all dark web users are struggling with mental health issues. However, the consistent patterns observed in this study suggest that mental health should be part of any serious discussion about who uses the dark web and why.

What This Study Adds to Existing Research

Previous research on the dark web has largely focused on technology, security, and crime. By contrast, this study places human experience at the center, offering one of the first large-scale empirical comparisons of mental health outcomes between dark web users and surface web users.

By examining multiple indicators at once and using a sizable U.S. sample, the research provides strong evidence that the dark web is not just a technical space, but a psychological one as well.

Final Thoughts

The takeaway from this research is not that the dark web is inherently harmful, but that it may attract people who are already dealing with significant emotional pain. Ignoring these hidden digital spaces risks overlooking some of the most vulnerable individuals online.

As conversations about mental health and technology continue to evolve, studies like this remind us that understanding online behavior requires looking beyond what is visible and comfortable, and toward the places where people go when they feel unseen.

Research Paper:
https://doi.org/10.1177/21522715251397784