Keywords
Social media
Sleep
Mental health
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze the influence of doomscrolling on sleep disturbances and the manifestation of psychiatric symptoms, aiming to provide a basis for preventive interventions and mental health promotion strategies. Literature review: Doomscrolling is characterized by the compulsive, passive, and prolonged consumption of negative or alarming content on digital media and is associated with psychological distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The architecture of digital platforms, characterized by infinite scrolling and algorithms that prioritize highly emotionally engaging content, may promote the persistence of this behavior and intensify cognitive hyperarousal. When it occurs at night, continuous exposure to alarming content may hinder relaxation and impair sleep onset and maintenance. Final considerations: Doomscrolling represents a digital behavior potentially associated with deterioration in sleep quality and increased psychological distress among adolescents and young adults, highlighting the importance of preventive strategies and mindful use of digital media.
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