Opening your social media feed can be compared to opening a window onto a stormy and hopeless world. The "doomscrolling“, a term that began circulating in 2018 and found fertile ground with the pandemic in 2020, it has become a habit for many of us. But what lies behind this practice?
What does doomscrolling consist of?
The term “doomscrolling” refers to the habit of continuing to scroll through social media feeds or online news, reading negative or distressing content, even though it may cause stress or anxiety.
It's a journey that begins with curiosity and turns into an almost masochistic compulsion towards horror. On this journey, crisis news, scandals and human defeats become monsters that feed on our hope, transforming curiosity into desperation.
Social media: masters of ceremonies of the ritual that steals our hope
Doomscrolling manifests itself predominantly through digital media. In this macabre dance, the media takes on the role of Master. The exploration of negative news, the desire to go deeper into the chasm of scary information, is not just a product of our imagination, but an imagination guided (and purposefully oriented) towards certain intensities.
This cycle of negative news consumption literally distorts our perception of reality, fueling a “narrative of desperation” that can obscure solutions or positive responses to the challenges we face.
Why is this happening?
Social media can encourage doomscrolling in various ways, mainly due to its structure, algorithms and the nature of the content they tend to promote. Here are the 8 key dynamics.
1. Infinite feeds
Social media is designed with endlessly scrolling feeds, providing a continuous flow of content. This design can entice users to keep scrolling for new information or updates, sometimes with no apparent end.
2. Custom algorithms
Social media algorithms are programmed to show content that is deemed interesting or relevant to the user, based on the user's past behavior. If a user has previously interacted with negative or distressing content, the algorithm may continue to show similar content, facilitating doomscrolling.
3. Bad news
Negative news tends to get more attention and spread more quickly on social media. This may be due to our cognitive bias that leads us to be more attentive to threats or dangers, especially if they are part of our "bubble".
4. Emotional Response
Content that evokes strong emotional responses, such as fear or anger, tends to be more shared and interacted with than content that brings joy or hope. This leads to greater visibility of negative or distressing news, which in turn facilitates doomscrolling.
5. Shares and comments
The social and interactive nature of social media can further amplify doomscrolling. Users may find it difficult to switch off when involved in discussions or threads involving negative or controversial topics.
6. Immediacy and accessibility
The ease with which we can access social media and get real-time updates can contribute to the compulsion to continually check feeds for the latest news, even if that news may be distressing or depressing.
7. The war for attention
Social media is in a constant competition for users' attention. Promoting shocking or negative content can be a strategy to keep users hooked, although it can contribute to doomscrolling.
8. Lack of editorial filters
Unlike traditional media, social media can lack editorial filters that moderate the type of content that is shown. This can lead to increased exposure to negative or sensationalist content.
The combination of user-centric design, personalized algorithms, and the viral nature of negative news on social media is the perfect fertile environment for doomscrolling. It is important for users to be aware of these dynamics and consider how they may influence their perception of the world and their emotional well-being. Like all forms of addiction, doomscrolling also partly depends on us, and we can (should, must) put a stop to it.
A necessary reflection to find hope again
“Doomscrolling” invites us to deeply reflect on our relationship with digital media and the narratives we consume every day. It represents a warning about the need for greater awareness and responsibility in our media consumption.
It is imperative to remember the importance of maintaining balance and seeking a more balanced and optimistic narrative, which can inspire positive action and constructive change.
In summary: from passive and solitary desperation to proactive and shared hope.
