Doomscrolling: A Review

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has changed the daily life habits of individuals as well as affecting their physical health. Efforts to acquire information about the outbreak and combat uncertainty have led to an increase in individuals' consumption of negative news. Technology and social media platforms have facilitated access to this information, resulting in the emergence of a new term called "doomscrolling". Doomscrolling is defined as the act of spending excessive time online navigating through unpleasant news, despite it being saddening or demoralising. Among the underlying reasons for this behavior, the desire to cope with uncertainty and the quest for positive information stand out. Additionally, personality traits and mental health status emerge as significant factors influencing this behavior. Strategies to reduce or prevent doomscrolling involve controlling technology usage, finding positive content to balance negative information, and engaging in offline activities that positively impact mental well-being. Given ongoing wars, economic crises, natural disasters, and similar situations, individuals' desire for information may lead to doomscrolling behavior, posing a risk of negative effects. Therefore, efforts aimed at promoting conscious technology usage and content consumption habits could be a critical step in preventing doomscrolling.