In the digital era, access to information is not just fast—it's relentless. With social media feeds perpetually updating, many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of doom-scrolling: endlessly consuming negative news. This behaviour, while seemingly innocuous, has become a significant psychological and societal challenge. In a world where information is abundant but verification is increasingly difficult, doom-scrolling has quietly emerged as a modern affliction, one that impacts mental health and skews our understanding of reality. This article explores the phenomenon, the psychological toll it takes, and how we might manage it in a future where information is omnipresent.

Doom-scrolling: the new norm in digital consumption

Doom-scrolling refers to the compulsive need to sift through a seemingly endless barrage of bad news, a behaviour amplified by global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and climate change. While it may start innocuously—just checking Twitter or Facebook for the latest updates—it often evolves into hours of continuous scrolling through negative content.

In a study by the Pew Research Center, nearly 70% of adults reported that they followed breaking news frequently, with many admitting that they consume news more than once a day. The phenomenon grew substantially during the early months of the pandemic when people sought constant updates on infection rates, lockdown policies, and safety measures. Unfortunately, the overwhelming nature of bad news made it nearly impossible for many to disconnect.

The psychological trap of doom-scrolling

Why do we doom-scroll even though it makes us feel worse? The answer reportedly lies in a combination of psychological and technological factors. Social media platforms, particularly those like Twitter and Facebook, are designed to keep users engaged. Their algorithms prioritize content that drives interaction, which is often sensational or fear-inducing. According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, negative news can trigger heightened emotions like anxiety, fear, and anger, which can become addictive in the same way that dopamine drives other compulsive behaviours​.

One poignant example is how people obsessively followed the 2020 U.S. elections. Constant updates about polling data, voter suppression, and misinformation kept users glued to their screens, contributing to increased levels of stress and anxiety. A report from the World Health Organization noted a 25% increase in anxiety and depression during the pandemic, much of which was linked to isolation, fear of infection, and overexposure to negative media during this period.

The verification challenge in the age of information overload

The other significant issue tied to doom-scrolling is the challenge of verifying the information we consume. The faster information is shared, the harder it becomes to distinguish fact from fiction. Studies conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) show that false news spreads significantly faster than true news on social media platforms, particularly during periods of heightened public interest, such as elections or pandemics.

For example, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about miracle cures, vaccine risks, and governmental cover-ups spread rapidly across platforms, fueling public panic. Fact-checking organisations like Snopes and PolitiFact worked tirelessly to debunk these false claims, but the sheer volume of misinformation made it nearly impossible to keep up.

The increasing difficulty in verifying sources has created a crisis in trust. According to the Reuters Institute's 2022 Digital News Report, trust in media has hit an all-time low, with only 42% of people stating they trust the news. This erosion of trust is largely attributed to the overwhelming amount of conflicting information available and the speed at which it spreads.

The impact on journalism and public perception

As consumers, we are not just affected by the content we consume; the nature of doom-scrolling also impacts how news is produced and consumed. News outlets, competing for clicks and attention, often focus on stories that generate strong emotional reactions—usually negative ones. This has led to what is often termed “clickbait journalism,” where headlines are crafted to incite outrage, fear, or shock.

A real-world example of this is the coverage of climate change. Sensationalized headlines about impending climate disasters often receive more clicks than measured, science-backed reports, skewing the public perception of the issue. According to a 2020 study by the Journal of Environmental Psychology, this type of sensationalized reporting can lead to fatalism, making people feel that the problem is too overwhelming to address​.

Solutions: can we break the cycle?

While doom-scrolling feels inescapable, there are strategies to mitigate its negative effects. One approach is to limit screen time and create boundaries around when and how we consume news. Apps like Moment and RescueTime can track usage and help users disconnect. Another solution is actively seeking out positive news outlets, such as The Optimist Daily, which focuses on constructive journalism.

Additionally, there is a growing call for tech companies to take more responsibility. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook have started implementing fact-checking tools and reducing the visibility of flagged misinformation. However, this is just a first step. In the future, advancements in AI could play a significant role in curbing the spread of false news by automatically flagging potentially harmful content.

Conclusion: navigating the future of information consumption

The future of doom-scrolling is uncertain. As information becomes increasingly accessible, the challenge will be to develop healthier relationships with the media we consume. Personal responsibility—limiting exposure and questioning sources—paired with technological advances in fact-checking and content moderation, may offer a way out of this psychological trap.

Ultimately, we must shift from passive consumption of sensationalized news to actively curating the information we let into our lives. Only then can we hope to break free from the cycle of doom-scrolling and foster a healthier, more informed society.