This is the meaning of “doom scrolling,” a common behavior that causes serious damage to mental health

The cultural phenomenon known as Death scrollwhich is characterized by constant reading of negative news on the Internet, has gained importance during the epidemic period. Covid-19. Merriam-Webster He classified this term as worthy of attention for inclusion in the dictionary in the future, describing it as the practice of indulging in suppressing or inhibiting information by browsing the Internet. the currency Death scroll And Death surfing It combines aspects of darkness and doom with the act of navigating online, highlighting the dominant role of mobile devices in this activity.

The origins of the term go back to A Anonymous post on Twitter In 2018, although its popularity and appreciation grew significantly in early 2020, thanks to Karen K. heCanadian financial journalist. Her insistence on X (formerly Twitter) on the importance of avoiding excessive consumption of negative news resonated widely, leading her to amass thousands of followers who sympathized with the concept. This term encapsulates the human tendency to focus on the negative, something that has been particularly evident during the difficult times of the global pandemic, according to one definition. Stady Published in Study journalism.

phenomenon Death scroll It has been the subject of study in three recent investigations, which have highlighted its negative impact on mental health. These studies, which focused on different samples, have proven the validity of these results Doomscrolling scale As a reliable tool to measure this practice, showing its relationship with higher levels of psychological distress and lower key indicators of mental health, including life satisfaction and personal harmony.

Cross-sectional analyzes of these studies indicate that Death scrollExcessive consumption of negative news via digital platforms can be a precursor to problems related to emotional and psychological well-being. This habit has been proven to increase feeling Disturbances And Decreases Imagine Care In individuals. In addition, the research indicates the need for future longitudinal and experimental studies to better understand how this behavior affects people’s mental health in the long term, according to the conclusions published in the journal. magazine Applied research in quality of life.

Constant interaction with Negative newsEspecially in the current context characterized by global crises such as Epidemics And Geopolitical conflictswhich led to an increase in its spread Death scroll. This circumstance highlights the importance of developing strategies and tools that allow users to more effectively manage their exposure to potentially harmful content. Mental health experts suggest implementing time limits on social media use and actively seeking positive or constructive content as possible measures to counter the harmful effects of this problem.