unmuted

19 November 2025

Introduction:

It’s 2 a.m. You should be asleep, but instead you’re lying in the dark, scrolling through an endless feed of bad news, perfect bodies, and people whose lives seem better than yours. What was supposed to be a five-minute check-in turns into an hour-long anxiety spiral. This is doomscrolling, a habit that has become increasingly common since the 2020 pandemic. Social media isn’t just entertainment; it can be a source of stress and emotional overload that affects our mental well-being in ways researchers are only beginning to understand.

Doomscrolling refers to a simple human being addicted to continuously scroll through negative news, even when it makes you feel worse. According to Newsweek, “A 2022 survey found that 80 percent of Gen Z respondents reported that social media makes them feel anxious or stressed” (“Gen Z Doomscrolling”). The article notes that during the covid-19 pandemic, people became especially vulnerable to this behavior as they saw news and connection online. The constant exposure to negative news can trigger a feedback loop in which scrolling itself increases anxiety.

“Social media platforms are engineered to maximize engagement, showing users content that will provoke the strongest reactions, which can lead to doomscrolling” (Scientific American, “How to Stop Doomscrolling”).

Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged. Features like infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and addicting content often prioritize material that receives the listener to have strong emotional reactions. As Scientific American explains, “Social media platforms are engineered to maximize engagement, showing users content that will provoke the strongest reactions, which can lead to doomscrolling” (“How to Stop Doomscrolling”). This design has fear and stress, making it difficult for users to disconnect, even when they recognize the negative impact on their mental health.

Beyond news consumption, social media also exposes users to idealized lifestyles, images of success, and aesthetic perfection. According to Newsweek, “Scrolling through feeds filled with carefully curated posts can lead to feelings of inadequacy, as users compare themselves to seemingly perfect lives online” (“Gen Z Doomscrolling”). Even when users know these portrayals are edited or staged, the comparisons can still negatively affect mental health, fostering anxiety, low self-esteem, and depressive symptoms

Interestingly, social media has also created spaces for mental health awareness and support. Both sources note that these platforms can provide helpful information, coping strategies, and a sense of community. However, the Scientific American article cautions that “the sheer volume of mental health content online, some of it inaccurate or oversimplified, can be overwhelming and even misleading” (“How to Stop Doomscrolling”). While access to mental health content can be beneficial, users must navigate it critically to avoid misunderstanding or misapplying advice.

Ultimately, doomscrolling reflects a complex interaction between technology, behavior, and mental health. Social media can empower, inform, and connect, but it can also amplify anxiety and foster unhealthy comparisons. As Newsweek emphasizes, “Understanding the ways social media affects mental health is for developing strategies to manage time online and reduce stress” (“Gen Z Doomscrolling”). Setting boundaries, curating feeds intentionally, and taking breaks from scrolling are practical ways to regain control over one’s digital habits and emotional well-being.

Conclusion:

Social media is not all harmful, but how we interact with it can affect our mental health. Recognizing the patterns of doomscrolling  and figuring out strategies to help stop an addiction from becoming worse, to helping teens and young kids focus on the good without being affected. Lets use social media, and make it more of a healthier route. 

Works Cited

Bushwick, Sophie. “How to Stop Doomscrolling News and Social Media.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-stop-doomscrolling-news-and-social-media/. Laws, —-Jasmine. “Gen Z Has a Doomscrolling Problem.” Newsweek, Newsweek, 11 May 2025, http://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-doomscrolling-problem-2065999.