Australian scientists from Flinders University have conducted the world’s first study on the phenomenon of doom scrolling, a condition in which people are unable to stop themselves from viewing disturbing and frightening news on social media. The research has been published in the scientific journal magazine Computers in Human Behavior Reports (CHBR).
The term “doomscrolling” is derived from the English words doom (“evil rock”) and scrolling (“scrolling”). Typically, this expression characterizes a person’s desire to consume information about negative events, even though it does not bring him pleasure.
In a new study, the team found that such behaviors can have serious consequences for mental health, increasing stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and doubts about the meaning of life.
Scientists surveyed 800 students from the United States and Iran who read news on social networks. The participants were asked to answer questions about how often they view social media, how concerned they are about their existence, whether they believe the world is a fair place, and what they think about humanity.
The results showed that young people heading into the apocalypse experienced symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, even if they had not experienced any recent significant trauma themselves. These students were more likely to experience existential anxiety and hopelessness, and also tended to be misanthropic, meaning they disliked people.
According to researchers, doomscrolling is a bad habit that needs to be combated to protect your mental health.
Earlier scientists named Ways to combat internet addiction.
What are you thinking?
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.