Doomscrolling is where you can’t stop reading the news, and not just any news, you read bad news. Even though reading bad news makes you feel worried, and hopeless and upset, you just keep scrolling. That’s doomscrolling. Now, reading the news and knowing what is happening in the world is not a bad thing, but if you read too much and you can’t stop, that can be pretty bad for you. More and more research is showing that doomscrolling can make you feel more stressed, depressed and hopeless. If you can relate to this, here are some ways to keep your doomscrolling under control:
Keep track. Start making a note of how long you spend reading the news or social media. This might sound like a pain - and it might be - but it will make you realise just how much time you spend scrolling. You could track when you scroll - before you go to bed, in the morning, both. This makes you aware of when you are most likely to become sucked in.
Set timers. Before you go on to social media, set a timer. Could be five minutes, could be more. Whatever it is, it will pull you out of the social media daze - you know the one. Promise to stop when the time goes off. There is no point setting a timer if you are not going to stick to it.
Ask someone to support you. Tell someone you want to cut down on your screen time. Could be a friend, could be your brother. Ask them to stop you when they notice you getting trapped in a social media spiral. Make sure they are around you often.
Keep the mornings clear. Going on social media first thing in the morning is not good for your peace of mind, research shows this. Don’t go on any apps or sites that pull you in for the first few hours in the morning. Your brain will thank you for it.
You have got this.
Change your perspective and uncover a way forward for you!
Here are some things that can help you with that.
YouTube
Great
reads
Your Mind Matters: Social Media and You by Honor Head
Our experiences on social media have a big effect on how we think, feel and behave. Social media can be brilliant, but it can also cause all sorts of problems
Social Media Savvy: Facts and Figures about Selfies, Smartphones and Standing Out by Elizabeth A. Rauml
This book will give you all sorts of fun facts about social media, so you don't have to feel confused.
The Tech Savvy User's Guide to the Digital World by Lori Getz
This book will help work out how to use the internet and social media in a way that makes you feel good and suits you.
Great
Films
The Social Dilemma
Tech experts from Silicon Valley sound the alarm on the dangerous impact of social networking, which Big Tech use in an attempt to manipulate and influence
2040
Concerned about his young daughter's future, filmmaker Damon Gameau travels the world in search of new approaches and solutions to climate change.
Eighth Grade
Kayla Day, an eighth grader, is introverted but also posts videos about self-confidence on the Internet. Later, she realises she is not the person she is pretending to be and overcomes her fears.
Spotify
This playlist will make things a little bit better, even just for a moment.
Places to find more resources
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