Copyright © 2025 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{184723,
        author = {Dr.Miruthula. G and Mr. Gokul Krishnan. C.},
        title = {DIGITAL HAUNTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON EMOTIONAL DIGITAL TREND},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {3040-3044},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184723},
        abstract = {The advent of social media has created opportunities for connection, memory-sharing, and identity preservation. Yet, an unintended consequence—digital haunting—has emerged, defined as the resurfacing of past digital content (e.g., photos, posts, chats, or “memories”) that provoke unexpected emotions. This study investigates the emotional and psychological effects of digital haunting across education, healthcare, and corporate sectors, focusing on how age and social media engagement shape user responses. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research combines surveys (N=305) and interviews (N=60) to analyze both statistical trends and personal narratives. Findings reveal that while digital haunting can spark nostalgia and happiness, it often induces grief, distress, and anxiety, especially among older users or those facing bereavement or relationship dissolution. The study highlights the urgent need for ethical social media design, such as customization memory filters, to balance engagement with emotional well-being.},
        keywords = {Digital Haunting, Social Media, Nostalgia, Grief, Emotional Well-being, Coping Strategies, Technology and Emotion},
        month = {September},
        }