Doomscrolling Can Increase Anxiety and Disrupt Sleep Quality

The habit of continuously scrolling through negative news or posts on social media, known as doomscrolling, can impact mental health, from increasing anxiety to disrupting sleep quality. According to the health website Medical Daily on Friday, doomscrolling is the habit of repeatedly consuming information that triggers fear or anxiety, often for longer than planned. This behaviour has become increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic, when people relied on the internet for the latest information. Researchers explain that the human brain is naturally more sensitive to threats, so it tends to pay greater attention to negative information. In the digital age, this tendency can cause someone to keep checking worrying news even though it actually increases stress. The habit of doomscrolling is also often done before bed. In addition to exposure to light from screens, emotionally draining content keeps the brain alert, making it harder to fall asleep. According to the Sleep Health Foundation, using digital devices before bed can delay relaxation and reduce sleep quality. Researchers also assess that social media features such as notifications, content recommendations, and infinite scrolling can encourage users to keep seeking new information. The habit of switching between news, videos, and notifications is also thought to affect a person’s ability to maintain focus for long periods. To reduce the impact, experts advise people to limit news reading time, avoid stress-inducing content before bed, turn off unnecessary notifications, and make time for exercise or socialising as a replacement for screen time.