The Hidden Dangers of Staying Informed: Part 1 – What Is Doomscrolling and Why Can’t We Stop?
4th November 2024
by Molly Myers, Assistant Psychologist
Image by Gilles Lambert via Unsplash.
Have you ever caught yourself mindlessly scrolling through an overwhelming stream of negative headlines, only to feel your anxiety levels rising with each passing minute? You’re not alone. This phenomenon, known as ‘doomscrolling’ (or sometimes ‘doomsurfing’), refers to the compulsive habit of consuming distressing news or social media content, often for much longer than intended. The term gained prominence during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a time when many of us were glued to our screens, seeking constant updates in a world that felt increasingly chaotic. As news feeds filled with reports of rising cases, lockdowns, and uncertainties, the urge to stay informed morphed into a cycle of anxiety and exhaustion. In this two-part blog series, we will explore the psychology of doomscrolling, its impact on our wellbeing, and practical tips to reclaim time and peace of mind in a world awash with negativity. Let’s dive in!
What is doomscrolling?
At its core, doomscrolling is the habit of consuming large amounts of negative news or quick, often distressing, social media content —such as YouTube Shorts, TikToks, or Instagram Reels—in a single sitting. While many of us start with the intention of staying informed, doomscrolling often has the opposite effect; leaving us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and mentally drained, rather than knowledgeable or reassured.
Why do we do it?
Part of the answer lies in our brain’s natural drive to seek information, especially during uncertain times. In moments of crisis, our brains crave more news to prepare us for potential threats. Ironically, this loop of constant updates can actually increase our stress levels rather than alleviate them. Additionally, the design of most social media platforms—with endless scrolling and quick hits of information—makes it easier than ever to get stuck in this harmful cycle.
Understanding the Psychology Behind Endless Scrolling…
The Brain’s Reward System
Social media platforms are designed to tap into our brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine—the “feel-good” neurotransmitter—when we come across information we find interesting or valuable. This rush of dopamine keeps us returning for more, even when faced with distressing content, thus perpetuating the doomscrolling cycle.
The Illusion of Control
Many ‘doomscrollers’ believe that by consuming all available information, they will be better prepared to handle potential threats. However, there is always more information to consume, and the desire for “complete” knowledge is never satisfied. This creates an illusion of control, resulting in endless scrolling without ever achieving a sense of closure.
Fear and the Search for Answers
Fear often drives people to doomscroll, especially during uncertain times. In moments of fear, we instinctively seek information to help us understand our circumstances and regain a sense of control. Unfortunately, rather than providing clarity, endless scrolling can intensify and exacerbate feelings of fear and anxiety.
Personality Traits and Susceptibility
Certain personality traits may predispose individuals to doomscrolling. Research indicates that people who exhibit lower levels of conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness, along with higher levels of neuroticism, are more likely to engage in this behaviour. These traits can heighten sensitivity to negative information, making it more likely for individuals to become trapped in a cycle of doomscrolling.
Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies
For individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), doomscrolling can manifest as a compulsive behaviour. The repetitive act of scrolling may serve as a coping mechanism to manage anxiety, but it often offers minimal relief and can actually reinforce anxious feelings.
Join us next time for Part 2 of The Hidden Dangers of Staying Informed, where we’ll explore how doomscrolling negatively impacts our well-being and share tips on how to curb this addictive habit once and for all!
References
McLaughlin, B., Gotlieb, M. R., & Mills, D. J. (2022). Caught in a Dangerous World: Problematic News Consumption and Its Relationship to Mental and Physical Ill-Being. Health Communication, 38(12), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2106086
Price, M., Legrand, A. C., Brier, Z. M. F., van Stolk-Cooke, K., Peck, K., Dodds, P. S., Danforth, C. M., & Adams, Z. W. (2022). Doomscrolling during COVID-19: The negative association between daily social and traditional media consumption and mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001202
Reynolds, E. (2024, August 2). The creeping influence of doomscrolling. BPS; The British Psychological Society. https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/creeping-influence-doomscrolling
Salamon, M. (2024, September). Doomscrolling dangers – Harvard Health. Harvard Health; Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/doomscrolling-dangers
Satici, S. A., Gocet Tekin, E., Deniz, M. E., & Satici, B. (2022). Doomscrolling Scale: its Association with Personality Traits, Psychological Distress, Social Media Use, and Wellbeing. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-022-10110-7
Sharma, B., Lee, S. S., & Johnson, B. K. (2022). The dark at the end of the tunnel: Doomscrolling on social media newsfeeds. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000059