Horrifying headlines aren’t new ― but thanks to social media, we’re more exposed to them than ever. From continuous streaming of the protests and battles, to videos of harassment and mistreatment of people to updates about the global pandemic and rising death tolls- we’re constantly bombarded with doom. Social media provides the perfect space for any and every one to share the latest news, opinions and of course misinformation. There’s no break.
On balance, we think we can handle it because we’re not breaking down every time we spot another tragedy in our news feed. But is this actually a sign we’re OK or is it really an indication that we’re hurting more than we realize?
Katie Day Good, an assistant professor of strategic communication at Miami University and the author of “Bring the World to the Child: Technologies of Global Citizenship in American Education,” said social media can be a double-edged sword when it comes to understanding tragedy or humanitarian crises. While these platforms can help us to better understand issues plaguing others and “prompt us to adopt behaviors and advocate for policy solutions that bring positive change,” there is also the issue of becoming impervious to tragedy because we see so much of it, she explained.
“Repetition of bad news and images does damage to us through vicarious trauma,” Joye said. “Much like a trauma survivor who has become hyper vigilant and scans the world for danger, the dooms roller is also looking for negative events.”
If you’re looking to curb your social media usage, there are a few things you can do. But first, you need to acknowledge there’s an issue. “Awareness is always the first step to changing a behavior,” said Lin Sternlicht, a therapist and co-founder of Family Addiction Specialist based in New York City.
“An individual must become aware of the negative impact that doom scrolling is having on their life, and then have a desire to want to change their habit.”
Here’s how to help:
1. Set Clear Boundaries of Engagement: Be what you really are and not what looks and seems cool. Avoid letting trends and trolls perturb you. Limit your friends to who you know and don't be part of a popularity contest. Set Clear Boundaries of Engagement: Be what you really are and not what looks and seems cool. Avoid letting trends and trolls perturb you. Limit your friends to who you know and don't be part of a popularity contest.
2. Keeping the Phone or Laptop Away during Meals and Bedtime: Having your smartphone around can be distracting. One may overeat or not eat at all. So is the case with sleep which gets disturbed due to the need to constantly check social media. 3. Know What You are Looking for: Do you wish to see how things are with your friends or to connect with them, or is it just the need to keep scrolling unaware?
Monitor and limit online time and set boundaries as to when and how you access news.
· Scroll for good news.
· Seek healthier ways to fill up idle time and cope with negative thoughts and feelings. Engage in self-care such as exercise.
· Ignore/resist feelings that you’re missing out on something.
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