Sydney, July 18: Flinders University researchers have uncovered the existential dangers of doomscrolling in a pioneering study.
This habitual practice of endlessly scrolling through distressing news on social media, like reports of shootings, terrorism, and conspiracies, can profoundly affect our worldview and sense of life’s meaning.
Doomscrolling involves excessive consumption of negative news on social media, leading to addiction-like behaviors.
This study reveals that such habits can increase feelings of distrust and suspicion toward others, as well as the impression that life lacks purpose.
“Doomscrolling can have dire consequences on our mental health and wellbeing, leaving us feeling stress, anxiety, despair, and questioning the meaning of life,” says lead author Reza Shabahang from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
Researchers surveyed 800 university students from Iran and the United States, representing both Eastern collective and Western individualistic cultures.
Participants reported how frequently they engaged in doomscrolling, their existential anxieties, and their beliefs about the fairness of the world and humanity.
The study found a clear link between doomscrolling and existential anxiety—worries about existence, life, and death—in both cultural samples.
In Iran, it also predicted increased misanthropy, or a general dislike of people.
“When we’re constantly exposed to negative news and information online, it can threaten our beliefs about our own mortality and control over our lives,” Shabahang explains. “Moreover, doomscrolling can negatively affect how we view the people and world around us.”
The findings serve as a timely reminder to monitor our online habits and take breaks from social media. Shabahang advises, “People should pay attention to how much time they spend on social media and be aware of its impact on their emotions, thoughts, and feelings, especially concerning negative news and events.”
By becoming more conscious of our doomscrolling habits and making efforts to reduce them, we can improve our overall mental wellbeing.
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