New research reveals that excessive consumption of negative news on social media can significantly alter our perception of humanity and life’s meaning. A groundbreaking study conducted by Flinders University explores the existential consequences of “doomscrolling,” shedding light on its far-reaching effects across diverse cultures.
The Doomscrolling Dilemma
Doomscrolling, the compulsive consumption of distressing news on social media, has become a widespread phenomenon in recent years. This habit involves spending excessive time scrolling through traumatic stories, often to the point of addiction. The new study, published in the Computers in Human Behavior Reports Journal, warns that this behavior is linked to significant changes in how we view both humanity and the meaning of life itself.
Lead author Reza Shabahang from Flinders University’s College of Education, Psychology and Social Work explains, “Doomscrolling can have some dire consequences on our mental health and wellbeing leaving us feeling stress, anxiety, despair and questioning the meaning of life.”
The research team surveyed 800 university students from two distinctly different cultures: Iran (representing an Eastern collective culture) and the United States (representing a Western individualistic culture). This diverse sample allowed researchers to explore how excessive negative news consumption on social media impacts thoughts and feelings related to existence across cultural boundaries.
The Psychological Toll of Digital Trauma
The study’s findings reveal that doomscrolling is associated with existential anxiety in both Iranian and American participants. This anxiety manifests as worries about existence, life, and death. Moreover, in the Iranian sample, doomscrolling emerged as a significant predictor of misanthropy – a general dislike or distrust of people.
Shabahang notes, “Viewing negative news on social media has become a source of vicarious trauma, where someone has a negative psychological impact even though they did not experience the trauma themselves.” This secondhand exposure to traumatic events can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including anxiety and despair.
The research also suggests that constant exposure to negative online content can threaten our beliefs about mortality and personal control. This, in turn, can negatively affect how we view the people and world around us.
Why it matters: Understanding the psychological impact of doomscrolling is crucial in an era dominated by social media and 24/7 news cycles. As more people turn to online platforms for information, the potential for widespread negative mental health effects grows. This research highlights the need for increased awareness and strategies to combat the harmful effects of excessive negative news consumption.
To address these concerns, Shabahang recommends being mindful of online habits and taking regular breaks from social media and exposure to negative news. “It’s a good idea to keep track of how much time you spend doomscrolling and start making changes to reduce that time if it’s problematic,” he advises.
As social media continues to play an increasingly significant role in our daily lives, this research serves as a timely reminder of the importance of digital well-being. By becoming more aware of our online habits and taking steps to address them, we may be able to mitigate the existential toll of doomscrolling and maintain a more balanced worldview.
