Doomscrolling Can Increase Anxiety and Disrupt Sleep Quality

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The habit of continuously scrolling through negative news or posts on social media, known as doomscrolling, can affect mental health, from raising 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 intended.

The 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, and therefore tends to pay greater attention to negative information. In the digital era, this tendency can lead someone to keep checking worrying news even though it increases stress.

Doomscrolling is also frequently done before bedtime. Beyond the light emitted by 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 believe 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 thought to affect a person’s ability to maintain focus over long periods.

To reduce its impact, experts advise the public to limit the time spent reading news, avoid stress-inducing content before bed, turn off non-essential notifications, and set aside time for exercise or socialising as a substitute for screen time.