IF YOU'VE never heard of the term "doomscrolling", this refers to a habitual checking of negative or disturbing stories on social media.
Now researchers from Flinders University have the view that excessive doomscrolling can make people more suspicious, distrusting of people, and form the impression that life in general lacks meaning.
The study's lead author, Reza Shabahang from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, said the practice can have "dire consequences" on mental health and wellbeing.
"Viewing negative news on social media has become a source of vicarious trauma, where someone has a negative psychological impact even though they did not experience the trauma themselves," Shabahang commented.
The study featured 800 students from both Eastern and Western cultures to explore how doomscrolling impacted their anxiety and view on humanity.
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