Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling (also known as doomsurfing)[1] is the act of consuming a large quantity of negative online news, typically without pause,[2] to the detriment of the mental health of the person consuming it.[3][4]
Etymology[edit]
According to finance reporter Karen Ho, the term is thought to have originated in October 2018 on the social media site Twitter.[5] However, the term may have earlier origins.[6]
Reception[edit]
The word gained popularity[7][8] during the COVID-19 pandemic.[9][10] Though "doomscrolling" is not found in their dictionary, Merriam-Webster is "watching" the term, a designation for words receiving increased use in society that do not yet meet their criteria for inclusion.[11] Dictionary.com chose it as the top monthly trend in August 2020.[12] The Macquarie Dictionary named "doomscrolling" as the 2020 Committee's Choice Word of the Year.[13]
Health professionals have advised that excessive doomscrolling can negatively impact existing mental health issues.[14][15]
See also[edit]
- Hate-watching
- Negativity bias
- Online journalism
- Mean world syndrome
- Cultivation theory
- Culture of fear
References[edit]
- ^ Doomscrolling Is Slowly Eroding Your Health|WIRED
- ^ What is Doomscrolling? Plus, How to Stop It|Shape
- ^ Stop doomscrolling — the onslaught of bad news is only making you miserable - The Globe and Mail
- ^ How to stop doomscrolling and its effect on your brain|TODAY
- ^ Your 'Doomscrolling' Breeds Anxiety. Here's How To Stop The Cycle : NPR
- ^ What Is Doomscrolling? Experts Explain Why We Do it—And How to Stop|Health.com
- ^ Doomscrolling: The word for staying up late reading coronavirus news - Business Insider
- ^ Why we're obsessed with reading bad news — and how to break the 'doomscrolling' habit - Yahoo Life
- ^ Doomsurfing and Doomscrolling Meaning|Merriam-Webster
- ^ What Reddit's /r/Collapse Can Teach Us About Doomscrolling|Time
- ^ Words we're watching - Merriam-Webster
- ^ "Word of the Year". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ "Macquarie Dictionary". www.macquariedictionary.com.au. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ What is Doomscrolling? - SOVA
- ^ 'Doomscrolling chosen as New Zealand word of the year for 2020|New Zealand|The Guardian
External links[edit]
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Look up doomscrolling in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |