A new study has revealed that excessive “doom scrolling” on your phone can push you further into depression.
The research conducted at University College London (UCL) discovered that improper smartphone usage can worsen a user’s emotional state.
Doom scrolling typically happens when users spend extended periods consuming negative and unpleasant content.
The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behavior, showed that individuals with poorer mental health tended to read more negative online content.
The researchers conducted several experiments involving 1,000 participants. These individuals underwent psychological assessments, after which they browsed the internet for 30 minutes, and their browsing history was later analyzed.
The researchers examined the language used on the websites in the search history, finding that individuals with deteriorating mental health had consumed more negative content.
Further tests involved changing the participants’ websites to understand whether this behavior was a cause or effect.
The researchers found that both elements were present, and it was revealed that individuals exposed to more negative content felt worse before diving deeper into the cycle of seeking out negative material.
