Scrolling Into Anxiety: How DoomScrolling Affects Millions

By Stephen Donahue

Cell phones have changed the daily lives of millions of people worldwide. They are simple yet powerful tools that can be used to enjoy entertainment, get directions, and chat with friends. Though cell phones are entertaining and addictive, they still have become increasingly more common in an average person’s daily life. One of the most commonly used apps for entertainment tends to be “YouTube”, a platform where users can upload and watch videos, theirs and others. During the 2019 tragedy of Covid 19, worldwide phone usage had increased by 10.36% or 338 million people using cell phones. People began using YouTube and other social media platforms to entertain themselves while in lockdown, resulting in the term “DoomScrolling”. DoomScrollling is a term used to describe when a user goes onto a device, and can not stop scrolling on media platforms, resulting in excessive screen time. The feeling of constant entertainment indulges the user to feel happy, or engaged, and as soon as it ends, they interpret the world as boring and require more entertainment. This results in the user constantly using their mobile phone, and results in negative mental health effects, such as anxiety, depression, and a general sense of hopelessness. This is due to the obsessive urge to scroll infinitely through negative news and social media, mostly highlighting tragedies, disasters, or other negative events.

It's not just about boredom, though boredom plays a role. Most human brains react badly to FOMO - The Fear Of Missing Out. That feeling that you need to know what's happening drives you to scroll through all the negative media your eyes can see. The fear of missing out (FOMO) also drives individuals to compulsively scroll through negative media. However, the psychological consequences of this behavior extend far beyond the boredom of FOMO. The constant influx of negative information can trigger a cascade of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, leading to heightened levels of anxiety and a perpetual state of unease. Over time, this chronic stress can weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep patterns, and contribute to a range of physical and mental health problems. Moreover, doom-scrolling can create a distorted perception of reality, where the world appears to be a much darker and more dangerous place than it is. The negative bias can fuel feelings of hopelessness and despair, making it difficult to maintain a positive outlook on life. Individuals who engage in excessive doom-scrolling might find themselves becoming more cynical, distrustful, and socially isolated, as they believe that connection with others will lead to a negative impact.

Sarah. (n.d.). Every phone. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ashitaka96/4742503887

If you are struggling with the negative impacts of doom-scrolling, consider reaching out to our school counselors for support and guidance. Another practical solution is to limit your access to social media by purchasing a basic “dumb phone” (Or ask your parents, most parents have a dumb phone hidden somewhere). These solutions might help reduce the temptation of endlessly scrolling and allow you to focus on more positive and engaging activities.