It’s late, and instead of sleeping, you find yourself glued to your screen, scrolling through endless negative news stories. This habit, of compulsively consuming negative news online, particularly on social media, is known as doomscrolling or doomsurfing. It’s a common phenomenon, especially in times of crisis or uncertainty.
As the name suggests, doomscrolling can have a detrimental effect on your mental and emotional well-being. It can trigger anxiety, stress, and even burnout. Research indicates that excessive exposure to negative news can disrupt sleep patterns, decrease appetite, dampen motivation, and diminish the enjoyment of activities you typically love.
For individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, doomscrolling can exacerbate their symptoms, potentially leading to panic attacks, according to experts.
Let’s delve deeper into this prevalent habit and explore strategies to break free from its grip.
Who is Prone to Doomscrolling?
While anyone can fall victim to the allure of negative news and social media content, certain demographics appear to be more susceptible. Studies suggest the following:
- Gender: Men are slightly more likely to engage in doomscrolling than women.
- Age: Younger adults are more prone to doomscrolling compared to older adults.
- Political Engagement: Individuals who actively follow or participate in politics are more likely to doomscroll.
Alt text: A person illuminated by the glow of a smartphone in a dark room, representing doomscrolling.
Why Do We Doomscroll?
Many of us strive to stay informed about current events that impact our lives, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and political issues. However, excessive consumption of negative news can lead to various problems.
Research indicates that news consumption becomes problematic when individuals become overly absorbed in the content, compulsively check for updates, and experience disruptions in their daily lives as a result.
Several factors can contribute to doomscrolling:
- Confirmation Bias: You may feel upset about something in the news and seek out information that validates your feelings. This can lead to ignoring or dismissing relevant information that contradicts your existing beliefs.
- Negative News Dominance: While searching for positive news, you may get overwhelmed by a constant stream of negative stories.
- Automatic Scrolling: You may try to stay on top of the news so much that scrolling becomes an automatic habit, performed without conscious thought.
- Mood Regulation: You may feel down and spend more time online in an attempt to improve your mood. However, this can often worsen your mood in the long run.
Alt text: A smartphone screen displaying numerous alarming news headlines, illustrating the overwhelming nature of doomscrolling.
Experts also suggest that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can contribute to doomscrolling. With OCD, your mind may fixate on a particular topic, leading you to doomscroll in an attempt to alleviate your anxiety about it. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment option to break this cycle.
In conclusion, doomscrolling is a prevalent habit that can negatively impact your mental and emotional well-being. By understanding the factors that contribute to doomscrolling and implementing strategies to limit your exposure to negative news, you can protect your mental health and cultivate a more positive outlook.
