Doom Scrolling
What is Doom Scrolling and how do we solve it?
A “doom scroll” is defined as an obsessive-compulsive act of abysmally wasting your precious time scrolling through your social media app of choice. The most common being X, TikTok, and Instagram. By doing so, you are not only subjecting yourself to a barrage of negativity, jealousy, loathing, self-loathing, and comparison of yourself to a glimpse in time of someone who was doom-scrolled before posting said media of choice, but negatively affecting your mental health and view of the world.
Social media has been increasingly criticized for its role in diminishing individual agency and autonomy, primarily through the use of algorithms, addictive design, and manipulative content strategies. Here's how it happens:
Mindless Consumption: All of these platforms have a common denominator, and that is the fact that content is limitless. The infiniteness causes the incapability of putting a stop to the scroll. Might I say you’re doomed once you go down this rabbit hole?
Manipulation: A common media tactic—feeding false information to victims.
Consumerism: The attempt to convince someone that they need a product they otherwise would not have purchased through persuasion, clickbait, and false advertising. BTW! Every product I’ve purchased on TikTok Shop I’ve regretted.
Misinformation: I think the name speaks for itself. X has attempted to rectify this through community notes. Meta is nullifying their fact-checking program and pushing to adopt a similar program to “community notes.” However, X is highly politically polarized, and there is no way around the spread of misinformation.
Dependency: Our generation has become hyperfocused on self-validation, which has led to a shallow, hollow version of who someone may be. The dependency on self-validation through external metrics—likes, shares, comments, or followers—has undeniably shaped how many of us perceive ourselves and others.
How Do We Solve This?
Our society’s obsession with social media and validation is not an inherent flaw. It is the result of a system designed to profit off of insecurity, attention, jealousy, and conspicuous consumption. I see first-hand within myself a deep-rooted unhappiness, and I’ve come to the following conclusions:
Find What Genuinely Makes YOU Happy: Take the time to explore your passions and interests outside of social media. Engage in activities that bring true joy and fulfillment.
Live a Life of Simplicity: Embrace a simpler lifestyle that isn’t centered on material possessions or online status. Appreciate the beauty of the small things.
Learn to Appreciate Minimalism: Understand that less is often more. Both in physical possessions and digital clutter, a minimalist approach can lead to clarity and peace.
Shift from “Self” to “Service”: Focus on helping others and creating positive change in your community. Acts of service can provide a deeper sense of purpose than personal validation ever could.
Prioritize Connections: Invest time in building genuine relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Real-world connections are more fulfilling than virtual ones.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Awareness: Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Recognize when you’re falling into unhealthy patterns and take steps to realign with your values and goals.