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Mental Health Implications

One of the most significant risks of doomscrolling addiction is its detrimental impact on mental health. Repeated exposure to negative news—ranging from stories about natural disasters to political unrest—can induce chronic stress and anxiety. A study by Sweeny and Dooley (2017) found that frequent exposure to negative information can trigger a state of hypervigilance, where individuals become excessively focused on perceived threats. This heightened state of awareness, while adaptive in the short term, can lead to long-term emotional exhaustion and burnout. Moreover, doomscrolling can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression by reinforcing a pessimistic worldview, where individuals begin to believe that negative events dominate the world.

Doomscrolling also reinforces cycles of worry and rumination, two cognitive patterns that are highly correlated with anxiety and depression. When individuals habitually engage in doomscrolling, they are constantly confronted with alarming headlines and stories, which can lead to a feeling of helplessness. This sense of helplessness is exacerbated by the lack of control over the global issues being consumed (Boursier, Gioia, Musetti, & Schimmenti, 2020). Over time, this can lead to a sense of despair and hopelessness, which are core features of depressive disorders.

Additionally, doomscrolling addiction often coincides with other maladaptive behaviours, such as insomnia and emotional eating. The continuous consumption of disturbing content late into the night can interfere with the ability to unwind, leading to poor sleep quality and sleep deprivation (Robinson & Smith, 2020). Poor sleep, in turn, worsens mood disorders and reduces an individual’s ability to manage stress, creating a vicious cycle of doomscrolling and deteriorating mental health.

Physical Health Risks

In addition to its psychological effects, doomscrolling addiction poses several physical health risks. Prolonged periods of scrolling, especially on smartphones, lead to sedentary behaviour, which is associated with a range of physical health problems. According to the World Health Organisation (2020), extended periods of physical inactivity contribute to an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Those addicted to doomscrolling are often so absorbed by negative content that they neglect physical activity, exacerbating these health risks.

The posture adopted during doomscrolling also contributes to musculoskeletal problems. Many individuals engage in doomscrolling while slouching, craning their necks or holding their smartphones at awkward angles for extended periods. This can lead to conditions like "tech neck" and repetitive strain injuries (RSI), causing discomfort in the neck, shoulders and wrists (Berolo, Wells, & Amick, 2011). Over time, such physical strain can develop into chronic pain and reduced mobility.

Another physical health concern related to doomscrolling addiction is its impact on sleep. Blue light emitted from screens disrupts melatonin production, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Research by Chang, Aeschbach, Duffy, and Czeisler (2015) found that using electronic devices before bedtime delays sleep onset, reduces sleep quality and leads to daytime fatigue. Sleep deprivation, in turn, compromises the immune system and increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disorders (Walker, 2017).

Social Consequences

Doomscrolling addiction can also lead to social withdrawal and interpersonal difficulties. Individuals who spend excessive amounts of time engaging in doomscrolling may neglect social interactions with family and friends. As their focus shifts toward negative global events, they may become less interested in personal relationships or feel overwhelmed by the burden of worrying about societal issues (Satici, Saricali, Satici, & Griffiths, 2020). This detachment can strain close relationships and lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Social media, a common platform for doomscrolling, also plays a role in reinforcing negative social comparison. As individuals scroll through their feeds, they are often exposed to a mixture of distressing news and idealised portrayals of other people's lives. This combination can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, envy, and resentment, further distancing individuals from their social circles (Verduyn, Ybarra, Résibois, Jonides, & Kross, 2017). Over time, this social withdrawal can lead to reduced social support, which is a protective factor against mental health issues, exacerbating feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Cognitive and Behavioural Effects

The compulsive nature of doomscrolling can also impair cognitive functioning and lead to behavioural changes. Doomscrolling addiction often disrupts an individual’s ability to concentrate, as the constant influx of distressing information fragments attention and reduces cognitive bandwidth. A study by Rosen et al. (2013) found that heavy media multitasking, such as switching between news stories and social media updates, leads to reduced working memory capacity and increased cognitive load. As a result, individuals may struggle with decision-making, problem-solving and maintaining focus on tasks.

Doomscrolling also reinforces avoidance behaviors, as individuals may use it as a coping mechanism to avoid dealing with personal challenges. Instead of confronting stressors in their own lives, they become preoccupied with global events, leading to procrastination and reduced productivity. This avoidance behaviour can have significant consequences, particularly in academic or professional settings, where individuals fail to meet deadlines or complete tasks due to their preoccupation with doomscrolling (Elhai, Levine, Dvorak, & Hall, 2017).

Conclusion

Doomscrolling addiction poses a range of risks, affecting mental, physical and social well-being. The mental health implications include increased anxiety, depression and emotional exhaustion, while physical risks stem from sedentary behaviour, poor posture and sleep disruption. Social withdrawal and strained interpersonal relationships further compound the negative effects and cognitive impairments related to attention and decision-making can lead to reduced productivity and avoidance behaviours. As doomscrolling becomes more prevalent in an increasingly connected world, it is crucial for individuals to develop healthier media consumption habits and seek professional support when necessary. By doing so, individuals can mitigate the harmful effects of doomscrolling addiction and maintain their overall well-being.

References

Berolo, S., Wells, R. P., & Amick, B. C. (2011). Musculoskeletal symptoms among mobile handheld device users and their relationship to device use: A preliminary study in a Canadian university population. Applied Ergonomics, 42(2), 371-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2010.08.010

Boursier, V., Gioia, F., Musetti, A., & Schimmenti, A. (2020). Facing loneliness and anxiety during the COVID-19 isolation: The role of excessive social media use in a sample of Italian adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 586222. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.586222

Chang, A. M., Aeschbach, D., Duffy, J. F., & Czeisler, C. A. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(4), 1232-1237. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418490112

Elhai, J. D., Levine, J. C., Dvorak, R. D., & Hall, B. J. (2017). Fear of missing out, need for touch, anxiety and depression are related to problematic smartphone use. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 509-516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.079

Robinson, L., & Smith, M. (2020). The mental health benefits of exercise. HelpGuide. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm

Rosen, L. D., Lim, A. F., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). The role of media use in adolescent sleep, attention, and academic performance. Journal of Adolescence, 36(4), 741-749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.03.006

Satici, B., Saricali, M., Satici, S. A., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Intolerance of uncertainty and mental wellbeing: Serial mediation by rumination and fear of COVID-19. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(6), 2746-2758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00305-0

Sweeny, K., & Dooley, M. D. (2017). The surprising upsides of worry. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11(4), e12311. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12311

Verduyn, P., Ybarra, O., Résibois, M., Jonides, J., & Kross, E. (2017). Do social network sites enhance or undermine subjective well-being? A critical review.

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