Online Racism Linked to Black Youths' Mental Health Support

Study finds Black young adults facing high levels of online racism are more likely to use digital mental health tools

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new study has found that Black young adults who experience high levels of online racism are also more likely to use digital mental health tools, regardless of whether they have clinically significant levels of anxiety or depression. The research sheds light on the pervasiveness of online racism and the steps young adults are taking to protect their mental health in response.

Why it matters

This study highlights the significant impact of online racism on the mental health of Black young adults, and the ways in which they are proactively seeking support through digital tools. It provides important insights for mental health practitioners and app developers on addressing the unique needs of this population.

The details

The study analyzed data from 1,005 Black young adults aged 18-29. It found that 88% had experienced online racism in the previous 6 months, and that higher levels of online racism were linked to greater use of digital mental health tools and more engagement in online mental health communication. This association held true even for those not exhibiting clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or depression.

  • The study was published on February 24, 2026.

The players

Vanessa Volpe

Co-author of the study and associate professor of psychology at North Carolina State University.

Melissa Holland

First author of the study and Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University.

Hans Oh

Corresponding author of the study and assistant professor of social work at the University of Southern California.

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What they’re saying

“This work sheds light on both how pervasive online racism is and the extent to which young adults are taking action to protect their mental health in light of that racism.”

— Vanessa Volpe, Associate Professor of Psychology (Mirage News)

“We also found that experiencing online racism was associated with greater engagement in online mental health communication.”

— Melissa Holland, Ph.D. Student (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers suggest that mental health practitioners should ask clients about their experiences with online racism and the digital tools they are using, and explore ways to design mental health apps that better address the needs of Black young adults.

The takeaway

This study underscores the significant toll of online racism on the mental health of Black young adults, and highlights their proactive efforts to seek support through digital resources. It points to the need for more tailored mental health interventions and tools to better serve this population.