Endlessly scrolling through troubling news on social media; reports of global crises, economic uncertainty, or societal tensions; has become a common habit for many. Known as doomscrolling, this behavior feels hard to resist, even when it leaves us stressed. Recent neuroscience research, including a 2023 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Psychiatry and a 2024 fMRI study in Computers in Human Behavior, provides insight into why we’re drawn to negative content.
These studies show how social media engages the brain’s dopamine system, particularly in individuals with heightened anxiety, making distressing news compelling. This article explores the science behind doomscrolling, its impact on mental health, and practical strategies to manage it.
Understanding Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling refers to the compulsive consumption of negative or alarming content online, often through social media platforms or news apps. The term gained prominence in 2020 during global health concerns and has since been recognized as a psychological phenomenon. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 62% of U.S. adults felt overwhelmed by negative news, yet 74% checked social media multiple times daily [https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2023/11/15/news-and-social-media-use/]. This paradox; seeking content that fuels distress; raises the question: why do we keep engaging?
A 2023 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Psychiatry by M. S. Hagger and colleagues, titled “Social Media Use and Psychological Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis,” analyzed 65 studies and found a moderate correlation (effect size 0.32) between heavy social media use and increased anxiety symptoms [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1125539/full]. This suggests doomscrolling is tied to how the brain processes information under stress, particularly in anxious individuals.
The Dopamine Connection
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward and motivation, drives our attraction to social media. Typically associated with positive experiences; like receiving a notification or enjoying a treat; dopamine also responds to uncertainty. A 2024 study in Computers in Human Behavior by C. H. Wu and colleagues, titled “The Neural Basis of Social Media Engagement: An fMRI Study,” scanned 80 participants (ages 18–40) as they interacted with simulated social media feeds containing neutral, positive, and negative content.
The results showed that negative posts triggered significant dopamine release in the ventral striatum, a reward-related brain region, especially in participants with higher anxiety scores (measured via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074756322400123X].
“Negative content creates a paradox,” the researchers noted. “It’s emotionally aversive but neurologically rewarding, particularly for anxious individuals.”
This effect stems from the brain’s predictive coding mechanism. In anxious states, the brain becomes hypervigilant, scanning for potential threats. Social media feeds, filled with emotionally charged content, align with this vigilance. Each swipe delivers a small dopamine boost as the brain processes new information, even if it’s unsettling. The fMRI data revealed that anxious participants spent 35% longer on negative posts (averaging 10 seconds per post versus 7 seconds for non-anxious participants) and showed 20% stronger dopamine-related activity in reward regions. This indicates that negative news is neurologically engaging for anxious individuals, creating a cycle where anxiety fuels engagement, which in turn heightens anxiety.
The Role of Algorithms
Social media platforms amplify doomscrolling through algorithmic design. The 2024 Computers in Human Behavior study used a simulated app with an algorithm modeled on 2023–2024 platform trends, prioritizing content based on engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments. Negative posts, which evoke strong emotions, consistently appeared at the top of feeds. “Algorithms are built to maximize attention,” said co-author Dr. Lisa Chen. “They detect that negative content holds attention longer, especially for anxious users, and prioritize it.”Participants using algorithm-driven feeds scrolled 55% longer than those given randomized content, with anxious individuals averaging 40-minute sessions compared to 25 minutes for controls.
This aligns with a 2023 study by the Center for Business and Human Rights at NYU, which found emotionally provocative content, particularly negative posts, generated 2.5 times more engagement than neutral ones [https://bhr.stern.nyu.edu/reports/social-media-engagement-2023]. The Computers in Human Behavior study shows how this dynamic disproportionately affects anxious users, whose reward systems are primed for threat-related content.
How Anxiety Shapes Behavior
Anxiety alters how we process information. The 2024 fMRI study found that anxious participants exhibited heightened activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear-processing region, when viewing negative posts. This increased sensitivity drove a need to “resolve” uncertainty by seeking more threat-related content, akin to repeatedly checking a locked door for safety. Each alarming headline offers a fleeting sense of preparedness, even if it deepens distress.
A 2023 study in Journal of Anxiety Disorders by E. L. Thompson and colleagues, titled “Anxiety and Information-Seeking Behavior,” found that individuals with high anxiety (n=200) were 40% more likely to engage with negative online content than non-anxious peers [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618523000457]. This suggests doomscrolling may serve as a maladaptive coping mechanism for managing uncertainty, particularly for those with anxiety.
Long-Term Impacts on Mental Health
Doomscrolling’s effects extend beyond momentary stress. A 2024 meta-analysis in Psychological Bulletin by K. Meier and colleagues, titled “Digital Media and Mental Health Outcomes,” reviewed 80 studies and found a moderate correlation (effect size 0.4) between heavy social media use and increased anxiety and depression symptoms [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-12345-001]. For anxious individuals, chronic doomscrolling may maintain a state of hyperarousal, contributing to burnout or worsening mental health over time.
The societal impact is also significant. A 2023 MIT study by S. Vosoughi and colleagues, titled “The Spread of True and False News Online,” found that negative news spreads six times faster than positive content, amplifying divisions [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aap9559]. The Computers in Human Behavior study noted that negative posts were shared 2.3 times more often in the simulated app, creating echo chambers where users are exposed to content reinforcing their fears.
The research also raises questions about responsibility. While self-discipline is important, algorithms exploit neurological vulnerabilities, particularly in anxious individuals. A 2025 commentary in Nature Human Behaviour by R. Patel calls for tech companies to prioritize mental health in algorithm design, citing evidence of harm [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02134-5].
Strategies to Manage Doomscrolling
Research offers practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce doomscrolling’s grip, though sustained effort is required:
Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts sharing neutral or positive content, such as science-based pages or hobbyist communities. The 2024 fMRI study found a 10% reduction in scrolling time with curated feeds.
Set Boundaries: Use app timers or schedule specific times for checking social media. Participants limiting sessions to 15 minutes reported a 12% decrease in post-session anxiety.
Practice Mindfulness: Brief exercises, like inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4, and exhaling for 6, reduced amygdala activity by 15% in the fMRI study.
Diversify Content: Seek solution-focused content, such as mental health resources. A 2023 study in Cyberpsychology found balanced feeds lowered stress [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0144929X.2023.2180472].
Advocate for Change: Support calls for algorithm transparency or mental health notifications on platforms. Engaging in tech policy discussions can amplify reform efforts.
These strategies require consistent application, as the dopamine-driven pull of negative content is strong, especially for anxious individuals.
A Growing Concern in 2025
The research aligns with increasing awareness of social media’s mental health impacts. A 2024 American Psychological Association report noted that 65% of adults reported stress from online news consumption [https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2024/annual-report]. These studies provide a neurological perspective, showing doomscrolling as a behavior rooted in brain chemistry, not just a lack of willpower.
Conclusion
Doomscrolling reflects a complex interplay of neuroscience, psychology, and technology. Studies like those in Frontiers in Psychiatry and Computers in Human Behavior reveal how dopamine drives engagement with negative content, particularly for anxious individuals, while algorithms amplify this cycle. The long-term effects; worsened mental health and societal polarization; underscore the need for both personal strategies and systemic change. By curating feeds, setting boundaries, and practicing mindfulness, individuals can reduce doomscrolling’s grip, while advocacy for ethical tech design offers hope for broader solutions.