Doom scrolling has been broadly defined and understood by academics and medical professionals as the act of consistently seeking out negative material through the consumption of media.
The first thought that might come to mind is to question whether this has correlation with increasing rates of media-related anxiety which soared during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies have shown that neuroticism (one of the big 5 personality types, which relates to anxiety) – reinforces that we are becoming overwhelmed with negative information, and thus, we want to know more about it to keep ourselves safe.
However, for many people, this quickly turns into a vicious cycle of hearing about negative news, seeking out more information, and consequently becoming more anxious upon reading up about it. With the current climate of negative news from around the world, including perspectives on climate change, economic issues, or global conflicts, it makes sense that we wish to remain educated on these matters – but at what cost?
Many have described that the act of doom scrolling as a compulsion they struggle to control or stop completely. A recently published report carried out by the University College London (UCL) has suggested that the rise of doom scrolling has caused a rapid decline in mental health amongst the general public over the past several years – placing increased pressure on the underfunded sector of mental health support, with only 8% of the NHS budget going towards mental health support in the UK. Furthermore, other global studies have further reinforced that consistent doom scrolling causes increased levels of anger, sadness, apprehension, and uncertainty about the future, alongside anxiety.
“With the current climate of negative news from around the world… it makes sense that we wish to remain educated on these matters – but at what cost?”
It is no surprise that once we see an article on social media or on the news that we think is scary or even simply intriguing, we want to read up on it and ensure we have the correct information about the matter – it makes sense, and our brains are naturally wired to do this. However, the patterns of anxiety in those who doom-scrolled regularly during the UCL study proved to be both the cause and effect of the key issue, to equal extents.
The suggested solutions for minimising doom scrolling include limiting screen time, reflecting on your feelings, as well as thinking about the media through a critical lens to avoid making yourself feel worse about what’s going on around the world.
I believe that whilst it shouldn’t be the University’s priority to tell people what media to consume, perhaps raising awareness of what it means to doom scroll, and making students aware of how to avoid it, is an excellent start – along with shedding light on the University’s resources for those struggling with their mental health at uncertain times, such as the University of Exeter Wellbeing Services.
For now, we must remember to look out for yourselves and take time off from reading the news if you require doing so. There is no shame in placing and reinforcing your boundaries, especially during the stressful time of deadline season!
Hey! I’m Magda, and I am 1/2 of your Online International Editors! I have been writing for Exeposé since the start of my first year and have written articles for all sections of the newspaper, achieving the Exeposé Rainbow in my second year. I am so excited to deliver new content to the International section!
The Rise of ‘Doom scrolling’: Time for another Digital Detox?
Doom scrolling has been broadly defined and understood by academics and medical professionals as the act of consistently seeking out negative material through the consumption of media.
The first thought that might come to mind is to question whether this has correlation with increasing rates of media-related anxiety which soared during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies have shown that neuroticism (one of the big 5 personality types, which relates to anxiety) – reinforces that we are becoming overwhelmed with negative information, and thus, we want to know more about it to keep ourselves safe.
However, for many people, this quickly turns into a vicious cycle of hearing about negative news, seeking out more information, and consequently becoming more anxious upon reading up about it. With the current climate of negative news from around the world, including perspectives on climate change, economic issues, or global conflicts, it makes sense that we wish to remain educated on these matters – but at what cost?
Many have described that the act of doom scrolling as a compulsion they struggle to control or stop completely. A recently published report carried out by the University College London (UCL) has suggested that the rise of doom scrolling has caused a rapid decline in mental health amongst the general public over the past several years – placing increased pressure on the underfunded sector of mental health support, with only 8% of the NHS budget going towards mental health support in the UK. Furthermore, other global studies have further reinforced that consistent doom scrolling causes increased levels of anger, sadness, apprehension, and uncertainty about the future, alongside anxiety.
It is no surprise that once we see an article on social media or on the news that we think is scary or even simply intriguing, we want to read up on it and ensure we have the correct information about the matter – it makes sense, and our brains are naturally wired to do this. However, the patterns of anxiety in those who doom-scrolled regularly during the UCL study proved to be both the cause and effect of the key issue, to equal extents.
The suggested solutions for minimising doom scrolling include limiting screen time, reflecting on your feelings, as well as thinking about the media through a critical lens to avoid making yourself feel worse about what’s going on around the world.
I believe that whilst it shouldn’t be the University’s priority to tell people what media to consume, perhaps raising awareness of what it means to doom scroll, and making students aware of how to avoid it, is an excellent start – along with shedding light on the University’s resources for those struggling with their mental health at uncertain times, such as the University of Exeter Wellbeing Services.
For now, we must remember to look out for yourselves and take time off from reading the news if you require doing so. There is no shame in placing and reinforcing your boundaries, especially during the stressful time of deadline season!
Magdalena Kanecka
Hey! I’m Magda, and I am 1/2 of your Online International Editors! I have been writing for Exeposé since the start of my first year and have written articles for all sections of the newspaper, achieving the Exeposé Rainbow in my second year. I am so excited to deliver new content to the International section!
Gisèle Pelicot: A Survivor and Hero
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