The Psychological Impact of 'Doomscrolling' on Digital Media Consumers in the Post-Pandemic Era

The phenomenon of "doomscrolling", the compulsive and continuous consumption of negative, distressing or catastrophic news via digital media platforms, has experienced an exponential surge in the post-pandemic era. This research critically investigates the psychological impact of doomscrolling on contemporary digital media consumers, explicitly examining its correlation with heightened levels of anxiety, clinical depression and digital fatigue. Employing a rigorous mixed-methods research design, the study integrated an online survey utilizing the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) among 200 participants (comprising university undergraduates and corporate IT employees), complemented by in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 individuals, intentionally including both everyday smartphone users and cybersecurity professionals. The quantitative findings indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between the daily hours spent doomscrolling and elevated psychological distress. Qualitatively, thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework, reveals how algorithmic news curation leverages the inherent human "negativity bias," trapping users in a continuous loop of emotional exhaustion and cognitive overload. The study concludes that prolonged engagement in doomscrolling severely deteriorates mental well-being and disrupts normative sleep architectures. Ultimately, this research underscores the urgent imperative for enhanced digital media literacy, transparency in algorithmic curation and the adoption of mindful media consumption strategies to mitigate the adverse psychological ramifications on modern media consumers.

Doomscrolling, Media Psychology, Digital Media, Negativity Bias, Social Media Algorithms

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