Known as “doomscrolling,” the habit may change the way we see humanity
Have you ever heard of “doomscrolling”? This expression, in English, means spending too much time browsing negative news on the Internet, such as crimes, terrorist attacks or conspiracies. A pioneering study on the impact of this phenomenon – common in the lives of many people – brings a warning: the habit can change the way we see humanity and even the meaning of life!
Researchers at Flinders University in Australia have found that doomscrolling makes people more likely to be suspicious of others, as well as creating a sense that life is meaningless. The findings were published in the journal Computers in human behavior.
The meaning of life questioned
“Doomscrolling can have disastrous consequences for our mental health and well-being, leaving us stressed, anxious, hopeless, and wondering about the meaning of life,” says lead author Reza Shabahang.
She explains that this type of addiction that people acquire by spending hours scrolling through negative news has become a source of trauma, even if the person does not live, nor has personally lived, the experiences in question.
“When exposed to images and information about traumatic events, people may experience symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as anxiety and hopelessness.”
Different cultures, similar results
To reach their conclusion, the researchers interviewed 800 college students from two different cultures: an Eastern culture that is more focused on the collective (Iran) and another, Western, more focused on the individual (United States). The idea was to explore how excessive consumption of negative news on social media can affect thoughts and feelings related to existence.
Participants were asked how often they doomscroll on social media, how anxious they feel about their existence, whether they believe the world is a fair place, and how they feel about humanity.
They wanted to see if there was any connection between fate and subsequent thoughts or feelings about humanity and the importance of life. The result was very positive.
Excessive concern for life and death
Doomscrolling has been associated with existential anxiety, that is, excessive worry about existence, life, and death. This was true for both Iranians and Americans, and it also served as a predictor of misanthropy—that is, disliking people—in the Iranian sample.
When we are constantly exposed to negative news and information online, it can challenge our beliefs about our mortality and the control we have over our lives. Additionally, doomscrolling can negatively impact how we view people and the world around us,” she says.
Shabahang believes the study reminds us to pay attention to our online habits and the importance of taking regular breaks from social media and controlling exposure to negative news.
How to minimize the impact?
“We suggest that people pay attention to the time they spend on social media and be aware of the impact it has on their emotions, thoughts and feelings, especially when it comes to negative news and events,” she says.
It’s a good idea to monitor how much time you spend doomscrolling and start making changes to reduce that time. Becoming aware of our online habits and taking small steps to address them can help improve our overall mental well-being. Because we can’t live without the Internet anymore.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
