If you are a social media user, then you must be guilty of scrolling through bad news every now and then, even when it is saddening or depressing. 

Many people have found themselves in the habit loop of engaging with social media, without the ability to step back or censor what they are consuming.

During times of crisis and uncertainty, some of us pay more attention to the news, looking for answers. And this might not surprise you, but we have to say it, a lot of the news is bad, an article on ‘Doomsurfing’ and ‘Doomscrolling’ shows. 

And yet we keep scrolling, keep reading article after article, unable to turn away from information that depresses us. There is a term for that feeling when you can’t stop scrolling through Twitter, or reading news that you know will make you sad, anxious, or angry.

Nora Kayesu knows how exhausting social media can be for her mental health, but finds it hard to let go. 

In the middle of the night, it’s not rare to find herself glued to her phone consuming all the disturbing information she comes across social media.

And just like her, a whole lot of other people admit to consuming negative content even when they realise how much of an effect it’s causing them.

According to Hellena Bwiza, a university student, at times when one is feeling low, it’s natural to drift towards the bad as a way of covering the hurt in your life.

"People don’t go for the bad stuff on the net because they enjoy it, it’s because it resonates with how they might be feeling inside in that moment,” she says.

"When you find yourself restless, it’s very easy to bury yourself in social media and as we know, the negative and sad news mostly dominate.”

What doomscrolling does to your mental health 

Doomscrolling can promote feelings of anxiety and depression. For example, consider how sad and exhausted you may feel when watching a drama with tragic events and sad music in the background, writes Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian.

Empathy is a good trait which helps us live successfully with others and promotes a flourishing society. However, excessive empathy, when viewing tragic world events on the news, may lead to ruminating on negative thoughts, which have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Constantly thinking negative thoughts can lead to depression or anxiety.

Such conditions can overtime have a huge effect on our minds, leading to actual cognitive impairments such as reduced attention or problems with memory and reasoning, she notes.

It is important to avoid obsessive doomscrolling but instead show resilience and gain mastery over the situation. To do that, you need to have some positive moments of respite.

Sahakian recommends to try and schedule something you enjoy and which relaxes and de-stresses you daily, such as reading a good book, watching a fun film, visiting friends and family or mindfulness training. Exercise or learning something new, such as a different language or a musical instrument, can also be good—boosting both mood as well as cognition.

Bwiza says to be cautious of the people and sites you follow on social media.

"Also, be intentional with how you use the internet. Control your use of social media; select particular times of when to use and not to use it. This will help you cope for those who are struggling with the addiction.

"It is important to fully understand how threatening this habit can be to one’s mental health. Impulsively scrolling through content on social media can be depressing, even with the positive content. Imagine how negative news can be damaging,” she adds.