Contents
- What is doomscrolling?
- Psychological aspects of doomscrolling
- Ways to reduce doomscrolling
- An interesting fact about doomscrolling
- Marketing and doomscrolling
What is doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is a phenomenon where people feel an irresistible urge to constantly read negative news. The term is derived from the English words "doom" and "scroll." It became particularly popular after 2019 when the world faced the coronavirus pandemic and numerous lockdowns. Uncertainty and fear for the future drove people to tirelessly refresh their news feeds, spending hours online in search of the latest information.
Psychological aspects of doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is closely related to the concept of the "mean world syndrome," introduced by American researcher George Gerbner. He believed that the media deliberately emphasizes negative news to create a perception that the world around them is much more dangerous than it actually is. The brain compels us to scroll through feeds in search of potential threats and ways to cope with them, which certainly has its consequences.
However, if one engages in doomscrolling for too long, it can lead to increased stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and concentration issues, and in some cases, even depression.
Ways to reduce doomscrolling
Psychologists suggest several recommendations that can help reduce the time spent on doomscrolling:
- Subscribe to news channels with neutral content.
- Increase consumption of content from entertainment media.
- Monitor the time you spend online.
An interesting fact about doomscrolling
Interestingly, some scientists believe that people's love for doomscrolling may be connected to a craving for extreme sensations. In the context of a monotonous routine, many begin to seek adrenaline through dangerous sports or watching horror movies. Scary news can provide similar experiences, triggering an adrenaline rush, albeit in a negative context.
Marketing and doomscrolling
Unfortunately, the phenomenon of doomscrolling is also used by marketers to capture the audience's attention. They incorporate shocking news into their content, publish sad statistics, or bleak forecasts, as this attracts heightened attention and fosters user engagement.