Doomscrolling, the excessive consumption of negative news, is linked to existential anxiety, distrust, suspicion of others, despair, and symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study published in the Journal of Computers in Human Behavior Reports.
According to the study, constant exposure to negative news can lead to a negative view of the world, increased feelings of hatred and mistrust towards humanity, and existential anxiety.
Participants in the study included 800 university students in the U.S. and in Iran.
The negative impact of news on our perception has increased in recent years, with the media focusing more on negative stories.
The average American spends around 4.5 hours on their phone daily, with Gen Z spending 6.5 hours.
Doomscrolling can be addictive and lead to suspicions towards others, and to a sense of life's meaninglessness.
Sleep experts advise against bringing smartphones to bed. Some users are switching to 'dumbphones' or using specialized tools to limit app usage and reduce phone dependency.
Mindful social media use, including regular breaks, awareness of the impact on emotions and thoughts, and monitoring and reducing time spent on social media, can improve overall mental wellbeing.
Sources: The Guardian, Terra, Gazzetta, Pieuvre, BR, Indy100, Playtech, LADbible, Meteo Giornale, Earth, Futurezone, ZME Science, IFLScience, Daily Mail
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
