What is Doomscrolling and How is it Harming Mental Health?

In today’s hyperconnected world, it’s becoming increasingly common for people to spend hours scrolling through their social media feeds, reading news stories, and watching videos. While this may seem harmless at first glance, a concerning trend has emerged in recent years: doomscrolling. This term refers to the act of endlessly consuming negative news or content, especially on social media or news websites. It is a behavior that often leads to heightened anxiety, stress, and a feeling of helplessness. But what is doomscrolling, and why is it harmful to our mental health?

Understanding Doomscrolling

Doomscrolling, also known as “doomsurfing,” is a behavior in which individuals continuously scroll through alarming or negative news stories, often for prolonged periods. The term gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were constantly exposed to distressing news about the global crisis, but it has since become more widespread across a variety of platforms. This includes social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or news websites where the headlines focus primarily on issues like political unrest, natural disasters, or social inequality.

Doomscrolling typically involves consuming news and information that provokes negative emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, or helplessness. Even if a person feels overwhelmed or upset, they might find themselves unable to stop scrolling, driven by the fear of missing out on crucial information.

Why Do People Doomscroll?

Several psychological factors contribute to the urge to doomscroll, including:

1. Curiosity and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): The desire to stay informed, especially in times of crisis, leads people to compulsively consume the latest news. There’s a fear of being left behind or uninformed about significant events, which often drives individuals to continue scrolling even when the content is distressing.
2. The “Negativity Bias”: Humans have a natural tendency to focus on negative events. Negative news grabs attention more easily because it triggers stronger emotional reactions. This biological predisposition means that bad news often stands out more than good news, leading to an increased focus on negative content.
3. Addiction to Social Media Algorithms: Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. The algorithms prioritize content that is most likely to provoke strong emotional reactions. Negative or sensational headlines generate more clicks, likes, and shares, which in turn leads to more exposure to such content.
4. Seeking Validation or Community: Many people doomscroll because they want to find others who share their concerns or frustrations. Social media provides a space where individuals can voice their anxieties and connect with others experiencing similar feelings. While this sense of community can be comforting, it often reinforces the cycle of negativity.

The Negative Impact on Mental Health

While staying informed is essential, doomscrolling can take a significant toll on mental well-being. Some of the mental health issues associated with this behavior include:

1. Increased Anxiety and Stress: Constant exposure to distressing news can trigger anxiety, especially in individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. The uncertainty of global events, like economic crises or political instability, can lead to feelings of fear and worry. This perpetual state of stress can even interfere with daily activities and lead to physical symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping.
2. Feelings of Helplessness: Doomscrolling often focuses on problems that are difficult, if not impossible, to solve on an individual level, such as natural disasters, social injustices, or political gridlock. The constant stream of negativity can cause feelings of powerlessness and helplessness, leaving people unsure of how to make a positive impact on the world around them.
3. Decreased Mental Resilience: The more time spent consuming negative information, the less mental resilience individuals may have when faced with challenges in their own lives. Constant exposure to negative content can drain emotional resources, making it harder for people to cope with personal difficulties.
4. Distorted Perception of Reality: Doomscrolling creates a warped sense of reality, as people begin to believe that the world is more chaotic or dangerous than it actually is. While negative events do occur, they are not always as widespread or imminent as social media may suggest. This distortion of reality can leave people feeling overwhelmed, fearful, and distrustful.

How to Break the Doomscrolling Habit

Recognizing that doomscrolling is harmful to mental health is the first step in overcoming it. Here are some strategies to break the cycle:

1. Set Boundaries: Limit the time spent on news websites or social media platforms. Consider setting specific time slots during the day to check the news rather than continuously scrolling.
2. Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that focus on positive, uplifting, and educational content. Curating your social media feed to include sources of inspiration, humor, and personal growth can help mitigate the negative impact of constant doomscrolling.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Develop a mindful approach to media consumption by staying aware of how certain types of content make you feel. If something triggers anxiety or sadness, take a break and engage in an activity that brings you joy or calmness, such as meditation, exercise, or spending time with loved ones.
4. Seek Balance: Balance your news intake with activities that boost your mental health, like reading a book, practicing a hobby, or watching something lighthearted. Connecting with people in the real world and participating in positive activities can help offset the negative effects of doomscrolling.
5. Take Social Media Breaks: Consider stepping away from social media entirely for a few hours or days to reset your mental state. This time away can help you regain perspective and reduce the overwhelming need to stay connected to the constant stream of negative news.

Conclusion

While staying informed is important, doomscrolling can have a detrimental effect on mental health. Constant exposure to negative news and the compulsive need to consume distressing content can lead to heightened anxiety, stress, and a sense of helplessness. By being mindful of how we engage with news and social media, we can protect our mental well-being and cultivate a healthier balance in our lives.