By Editorial Staff
The digital age, celebrated for its incredible ability to connect and inform, has now become a double-edged sword, inflicting significant harm on mental health worldwide. Social media and technology, while essential in today’s world, are driving a silent epidemic of anxiety, depression, and isolation, especially among younger generations.
The pervasive habits of doomscrolling and digital addiction are not just minor disturbances; they are devastating lives, eroding well-being, and deepening mental health crises on a global scale. This escalating scourge calls for immediate and decisive action, as failing to address it will only exacerbate the hardships already pounding millions. This article is subdivided into these major sections:
- Doomscrolling
- Feelings after reading or watching news matter
- Consequences of internet addiction among teens
- Benefits of technology and social media while its misuse or overuse is the main problem
- Action
Doomscrolling
Newsweek on 19 June 2024 ran a story headlined “I’m a Psychologist—Doomscrolling Has a Devastating Impact.” The story was written by Navit Schechter. She is a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) therapist and mental health writer. She is the one who articulates the words in the headline.
Schechter starts, defining doomscrolling—or doomsurfing as the excessive consumption of news-related information online. She highlights that doomscrollers can find themselves spending hours and hours of their time reading news online, watching news channels or consuming short-form videos and or posts on social media. “Over the last few years, there have been numerous tragic and unprecedented global news stories and events that have brought uncertainty and anxiety to many. Doomscrollers have constant access to difficult and upsetting news stories because they look for them, in an attempt to gain more knowledge and feel more in control.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines doomscrolling as the activity of spending a lot of time looking at your phone or computer and reading bad or negative news stories. According to this dictionary, doom means death, destruction, or any very bad situation that cannot be avoided.
Schechter provides an example of her client who was shattered by doom surfing. Schechter explains “I had a client with three young children, who believed that she had to keep abreast (ensure she knew all) of the details of the Middle East conflict. This meant that once her children were finally in bed, she would find herself scrolling for hours in an attempt to stay up-to-date and knowledgeable on what is happening.
She believed that to be a conscientious and caring human, it is something she had to do. However, not only was she finding herself feeling low and anxious because she was spending her only free time in the day doomscrolling, she was also struggling to switch off and go to sleep. She found herself feeling tired, irritable and more stressed and was feeling guilty at being snappier and less patient with her children. The consequence of her hours of late-night doomscrolling was not only affecting her, but inevitably had a knock on affect on her children too.”
Schechter points out that several people are grappling with the problem. “She (her mentioned client)‘s not alone. Many clients report difficulty concentrating, brain fog, low self-esteem, feeling tired, unproductive, anxious and depressed as a result of spending too much time online, consuming negative news content.
I’ve also worked with many teenagers who fell into hours of doom scrolling after school, as a respite—and way of drowning out—the stress they experienced at school and the negative, self-attacking thoughts they were having about themselves as a result. The way we feel is largely a result of the thoughts and images that go through our minds and if we’re spending large amounts of time watching difficult, fearsome and tragic stories at the expense of more relaxing activities, it can have a devastating effect on the way we feel.”
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, the media play a powerful role in shaping our perceptions of the world around us. However, this influence often tilts toward the negative, leading to a narrative that emphasizes the worst of human nature while sidelining uplifting stories that showcase our capacity for goodness. As a result, difficult emotions can linger for days, affecting not only our mental well-being but also our relationships and productivity, even after we’ve stopped scrolling. Schechter emphasizes upon this issue. “Furthermore, the news is often skewed towards focusing on the worst of human nature, at the expense of examples of the best.
Difficult feelings can therefore remain with us for days, influencing the way we feel, our relationships with others and productivity even when we’ve stopped scrolling. If we wanted to, we could have access to difficult and upsetting information 24/7 and, as we know, the tendency is often to seek more information which perpetuates feelings of sadness and hopelessness, making it hard to end the scroll.”
Addiction Center based in the United States of America is a resource— providing information, support, and guidance for individuals struggling with substance use disorders and addiction— which aims to connect people with resources they need to overcome addiction and achieve long-term recovery. This institution often serving as a bridge between individuals seeking help and professional treatment facilities released an article last updated on 29 July 2024. It was written and reviewed by Natalie Hoeg and Doctor of Addiction Medicine— Dr. Ashish Bhatt,MD respectively. It reads “While many believe that surfing the web or binging cat videos on YouTube is a relatively harmless act, there are some people who spend so much of their time using a computer or the internet that it has begun to interfere with their daily lives.
When an action or desire becomes a hindrance and takes precedence over the most important aspects of one’s life, like relationships, work, and school, it can become classified as an addiction.”
The article highlights that internet addiction is yet to be listed in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, it adds that a 2-year study financed by the National Institutes of Health ( the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research) is likely to change it. “Begun in August of 2017, the study could deliver sufficient evidence that problems stemming from excessive internet use deserve serious attention from US mental health and psychiatric communities. Professionals that do recognize internet addiction tend to classify it as either an obsessive-compulsive disorder or an impulse control disorder to aid treatment. Internet addiction is also called compulsive computer use, pathological internet use, and internet dependence.”
Feelings after reading or watching news matter
Schechter explains it in these words. “How you feel when you’re using—or just finished using—your phone or watching the news is a good indicator on whether you need to curb the amount of time you spend scrolling. Does watching the news or scrolling on social media leave you feeling anxious, restless and on edge? Does it leave you feeling down, hopeless and helpless? If so, it’s likely that the time spent catching up on the news is excessive and potentially damaging for you. If your desire to stay abreast of what’s happening in the world is greater than your desire to look after the way you feel and your mental health, then doom scrolling is also likely an issue.”
She underscores that with the introduction of the “infinite scroll“, online platforms are now also designed to render it really easy for us to keep scrolling, “making content more accessible and easier to mindlessly scroll. Headlines are also designed to install fear and entice us to read ‘just one more’ story.”
On 18 July 2024 The Guardian released a story on research where researchers surveyed 800 university students in the U.S. and Iran. The research observed that doom scrolling – or “spending excessive time consuming negative news” – was associated with feelings of existential anxiety, distrust and suspicion of others, and despair. According to The Guardian, the lead author — Reza Shabahang — a researcher at Flinders University’s college of education, psychology and social work, said that constantly being exposed to negative news had turned into a “source of vicarious trauma”, where people are detrimentally affected despite not facing the trauma first-hand.
He stated “When we’re constantly exposed to negative news and information online, it can threaten our beliefs when it comes to our own mortality and the control we have over our own lives.” The researchers detected that constant exposure to negative news was linked with thoughts such as “life being fragile and limited, humans fundamentally being alone, and individuals not having full control of their lives.”
The Guardian reports that for Iranian students, doomscrolling was also associated with misanthropy, or a profound sense of hatred and distrust towards humankind, “The researchers hypothesised that constant exposure to negative news reinforced the idea that ‘humankind is imperfect, and there is no justice in the world.’”
Consequences of internet addiction among teens
CNN published a story titled “How internet addiction may affect your teen’s brain, according to a new study” on June 5, 2024. It reports “Teens who spend lots of time on social media have complained of feeling like they can’t pay attention to more important things like homework or time with loved ones. A new study has possibly captured that objectively, finding that for teens diagnosed with internet addiction, signaling between brain regions important for controlling attention, working memory and more was disrupted. The findings are from a review, published Tuesday in the journal PLOS Mental Health, of 12 neuroimaging studies of a few hundred adolescents ages 10 to 19 between 2013 and 2022.”
“The behavioural addiction brought on by excessive internet use has become a rising source of concern since the last decade,” the authors wrote in the study, according to CNN.
Max Chang, first author of the study and outreach case manager at the nonprofit Peninsula Family Service in San Francisco, via email told CNN that the criteria for clinical diagnosis of internet addiction in the included studies involved one’s persistent preoccupation with the internet, withdrawal symptoms when away from the internet, and sacrificing relationships (for) time to spend on the internet over an extended period of time (e.g., 12 months). Chang said “The pattern of behaviour results in significant impairment or distress in the individual’s life.”
“When participants clinically diagnosed with internet addiction engaged in activities governed by the brain’s executive function network — behaviors requiring attention, planning, decision-making and impulse control — those brain regions showed substantial disruption in their ability to work together, compared to those in peers without internet addiction” reports CNN.
Benefits of technology and social media while its misuse or overuse is the main problem
Technology and social media have revolutionized the way we communicate, access information, and connect with others, offering a host of benefits. They have made it easier to stay in touch with loved ones across distances, share ideas, and collaborate on projects in real-time, regardless of geographical barriers. These platforms have democratized access to information, empowering individuals to learn new skills, pursue education, and engage in global discussions. Social media, in particular, has been instrumental in driving social change, enabling movements to gain momentum, spreading awareness of critical issues, and providing a voice to marginalized communities. The digital age has thus brought about significant convenience, innovation, and opportunities for social and economic growth.
The negative impact of technology does not lie in the tools themselves but in how humans use them. When used excessively or without boundaries, technology and social media can contribute to problems such as addiction, anxiety, and information overload. The potential for harm arises when people prioritize screen time over real-world interactions, consume endless streams of negative content, or use these tools to perpetuate misinformation and harmful behaviors. Responsible use, therefore, is key to reaping the benefits of technology while minimizing its downsides. By setting limits, being intentional with online activities, and using technology as a means rather than an end, individuals can harness its power without letting it undermine their well-being.
Action
First of all, Schechter recommends you to consume news only when “you have the head and emotional space to deal with. It is a healthier way to stay connected to what’s going on in the wider-world whilst also looking after yourself. Remember that you don’t always need to be aware of everything going on in the wider world, especially if you don’t have any control over what’s happening and they’re impacting on the way you feel. If you’re already feeling anxious, low or stressed, it’s likely that doom scrolling will only exacerbate these feelings.”
She advises you to determine time limits. “Be aware of how much time you’re spending catching up on the outside world and set yourself time limits to ensure that you don’t spend longer than you can manage online without it starting to affect how you feel. You can set yourself a timer or, if you tend to find yourself scrolling without having meant to, becoming more intentional when you open your phone and only going to the pages you’ve planned to.
If this feels hard to do, delete news or social media apps from your phone, use a lock box, or switch the wifi off at the wall to help create the boundaries you need around your phone use. Keeping your phone out of your bedroom at night can also help to reduce temptation.”
In an age dominated by digital distractions, finding ways to mitigate the negative effects of technology is essential for mental well-being. Simple strategies, such as unfollowing difficult content and undertaking a digital detox, can significantly reduce doomscrolling habits and foster healthier relationships with our devices. “Unfollowing pages or people online that share content that you find difficult can help you manage your phone use and stay out of the doom scrolling loop. Undertaking a digital detox, and completely switching off from your TV, phone and computer can also be a wonderful way to break the doom scrolling habit.
Whilst longer detoxes can have the biggest impact, they aren’t always easy or possible. Putting your phone away for a few hours a day and doing something nurturing and relaxing like taking a walk, meeting a friend, having a bath or reading a book can help create healthier habits that leave you feeling relaxed enough to be more mindful about how you’re using your phone. If you’re finding that, despite your best intentions, you can’t curb the doom scrolling habit and it’s affecting your mental health or quality of life then reach out to your GP or a therapist who can help you to do just that.”
As the previous section highlights, technology and social media need to be responsibly used. All excess is always bad as all little is also so. Having too much or too little of something—can be harmful or undesirable. Too much of anything, such as food, work, or even rest, can be detrimental. Overeating can harm health, overworking can lead to burnout, and excessive rest may result in a lack of productivity. Having too little can also be problematic. Not eating enough can cause malnutrition, insufficient sleep can harm well-being, and a lack of exercise can lead to poor health.
Striking a balance is generally the healthiest approach, as it helps to maintain well-being and prevents the negative effects associated with either extreme. This applies to technology and social media use as well.
Overuse of social media contributes to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, especially when comparing oneself to others or dealing with negative content. Spending too much time on devices distracts you from important tasks, reducing focus, and negatively affecting work or study performance. Excessive screen time can lead to eye strain, sleep disturbances, and sedentary behavior, which may contribute to weight gain or other health issues.
Using social media and technology too little leads to social isolation, especially in a world where online communication is often a primary means of staying connected with friends, family, and professional networks. Limited engagement with technology might mean missing out on learning opportunities, career growth, or staying informed about important trends or news. In today’s tech-driven world, not using technology enough may result in a lack of skills that are essential for personal and professional development.
To maintain a healthy relationship with technology and social media, you need to exert technology and social media moderation. It allows you to enjoy the benefits of technology and social media without falling into the trap of overuse or disconnection. To achieve it, set boundaries, be intentional and engage offline. This signifies that you have to limit screen time, take breaks, and avoid using devices before bedtime; use technology purposefully—for learning, work, or meaningful connection—rather than as a default habit; and balance tech use with offline activities like exercise, reading, or face-to-face social interactions. If it gets necessary that you excessively employ technology and social media for certain valid reasons, you also need to take enough time to rest.
An article that we are preparing will explain to you how a certain journalist managed to eradicate her problem of doom scrolling, after it had shattered her excessively.