Explore the phenomenon of doomscrolling and its impact on mental health. Discover how anxiety and negative news create a vicious cycle that leaves many feeling overwhelmed. Learn about the psychological factors that social media exploits to keep users hooked on negativity. Get practical tips on how to break free from this cycle, maintain a healthier relationship with news, and foster a more positive mindset. It's a crucial conversation for anyone scrolling through doom and gloom!
Doomscrolling, driven by anxiety, reinforces a negative worldview through both passive and active engagement with distressing news content.
Establishing healthier digital habits and diversifying news sources can significantly improve mental well-being and combat the effects of doomscrolling.
Deep dives
Understanding Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is characterized by the excessive consumption of negative news content, often leading to a pessimistic outlook. It stems from a compulsive desire for information, particularly during periods of uncertainty, where individuals feel that having more details can provide a sense of control. The impact of doomscrolling is significant, especially among younger individuals, with surveys indicating that around 51% of Gen Z regularly engage in this behavior. This compulsive need is driven by anxiety, with the brain’s limbic system becoming hypervigilant to potential dangers, perpetuating the cycle of seeking distressing information.
Types of Doomscrolling
There are two main types of doomscrolling: passive and active. Passive doomscrolling occurs when individuals unintentionally come across negative content while browsing social media, leading to feelings of helplessness. Active doomscrolling is a conscious effort to seek out distressing news, often fueled by a fear of being uninformed. Both types contribute to heightened anxiety and reinforce a negative perception of the world, making it essential to recognize and address these behaviors.
The Role of Negativity Bias
The negativity bias plays a crucial role in why people gravitate toward negative content. This cognitive bias causes individuals to pay more attention to adverse news stories, as they are deemed more important for survival. Research has shown that people are naturally drawn to alarming headlines, often remembering them more vividly than positive stories. This inherent tendency, combined with the sensationalism of news media, creates a persistent cycle where negative information overshadows more balanced perspectives.
Breaking the Cycle of Doomscrolling
To mitigate the effects of doomscrolling, individuals are encouraged to establish healthier digital habits. This can include setting boundaries with phone usage, such as implementing social media timers or designating specific times for news consumption. Additionally, diversifying news sources to include positive stories and engaging with uplifting content can help counterbalance the negative information overload. Ultimately, promoting a balanced informational diet enables a healthier relationship with news and social media, enhancing overall mental well-being.
There is a lot of terrible news out there, so much so that we could spend every hour of every day reading it and still not be done. What's worse is that we can now access that news at any time, any where, any place from our phones and this has lead to a phenomena known as doomscrolling. Doomscrolling may feel comforting, but it leads to more existential anxiety, stress and apathy. It's not great for our mental health. Today we break down:
What are the different types of doomscrolling
Why do anxiety and doomscrolling actually feed off eachother
How social media and the infinite scroll keeps us addicted to negative news
The consequences for our psychology
How to maintain better news and social media hygiene
The best practices for being informed but not overwhelmed
For my fellow doomscrollers who can't look away from the end of the world, this episode is for you.
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor.