Is doomscrolling quietly damaging teen brains? Scientists warn it is more than just a waste of time
doomscrolling
" isn't just killing time—it could be harming their mental health in dangerous and lasting ways.
According to a report from the
Daily Mail
, a new study has revealed that teens who spend more than two hours a day scrolling on phones or tablets double their risk of developing anxiety and are four times more likely to show signs of depression. The findings, published after a nine-month-long study of 580 adolescents, paint a sobering picture of how digital habits are quietly reshaping the emotional landscape of an entire generation.
From Habits to Harm: What the Study Found
The research team, led by Professor Emma Duerden, Canada's Research Chair in Neuroscience and
Learning Disorders
, focused on adolescents aged 12 to 17 with no prior mental health diagnoses. Shockingly, by the end of the study, 45 percent of participants displayed psychiatric symptoms significant enough to warrant further medical evaluation.
"This is really surprising," said Prof Duerden. "Before COVID-19, rates of anxiety in adolescents were between 8 and 15 percent. Now, we see almost half of the sample reporting heightened anxiety, which is alarming."
The study tracked not just the amount of screen time, but also the way it was used—whether teens were actively posting, chatting, or simply scrolling. It was the passive form of engagement, the relentless scroll of content without interaction—what's commonly called doomscrolling—that showed the strongest negative impact on mental well-being.
You Might Also Like:
'What a magical thing that is': Carl Sagan's wise words on reading books are the fresh breeze we need amid digital brain rot
iStock
Researchers found that 45% of adolescents displayed psychiatric symptoms within nine months, highlighting how passive screen use is quietly fuelling a mental health crisis among youth during a critical stage of brain development. (Representational image: iStock)
A Generation at Risk—and a Warning for Parents
This comes against the backdrop of a worsening youth
mental health crisis
. NHS data from the UK shows that over 20 percent of children aged 8 to 16 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023—a sharp rise from 13 percent in 2017.
Prof Duerden emphasized that adolescence is a critical period for brain development, especially in areas governing emotion regulation and impulse control. "In past studies, we've seen teens report as much as 15 hours of daily screen time. They wake up, go on a screen, and stay on all day," she said.
Limiting screen time to under two hours a day, while encouraging physical activity, is among the most effective ways to support adolescent well-being. But as any modern parent knows, the solution is easier said than done.
Beyond the Screen: The Fight to Reclaim Attention
This new research doesn't just highlight the mental health dangers of digital overuse—it also signals a cultural crisis in how we engage with technology. Doomscrolling thrives on algorithms built for endless engagement, yet teens are increasingly paying the price in anxiety, depression, impulsiveness, and even aggression.
You Might Also Like:
How 'doomscrolling' before bed is wrecking your health? New study confirms our fears
The question now isn't just how much time young people spend on their screens—but how that time is shaping their minds. As doomscrolling becomes a daily ritual for millions, scientists and parents alike are urging a rethink of what we consider "normal" digital behaviour.
You Might Also Like:
What is 'zombie scrolling' and why it is more dangerous than 'doom scrolling'? Expert reveals
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
AIIMS-led study finds infections contracted in hospital due to catheter use prevalent across India
New Delhi: Bloodstream infections acquired during a hospital stay due to the use of a catheter are prevalent across ICUs in India and are often caused by microbes having a high level of antibiotic resistance, according to a study led by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Antibiotic resistance -- in which antibiotic drugs are rendered ineffective because disease-causing microbes have become immune to them -- can extend one's hospital stay and treatment costs, adding stress to a public healthcare system. Estimates published in The Lancet Global Health journal show that on average, around nine bloodstream infection events occur every 1,000 days that a central line -- a catheter inserted in a patient's large vein instead of an intravenous line -- was in place in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Indian hospitals. 'Central line-associated bloodstream infections', or CLABSI, are preventable infections -- often acquired from a hospital environment -- and significantly contribute to illness and death in low- and middle-income countries, including India. The researchers said that tracking rates of bloodstream infections in ICUs can help countries develop preventive measures suited to a healthcare system. However, setting up a surveillance that systematically tracks infections due to catheter use or other hospital-acquired infections calls for a significant amount of resources and is a challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including India, they said. The team analysed data from 200 intensive care units received by the Indian Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) surveillance network from 54 hospitals across the country over a period of seven years. "During the surveillance period from May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2024, 8,629 laboratory-confirmed CLABSI events, 3,054,124 patient-days and 977,052 central line-days were recorded. The overall pooled CLABSI rate was 8.83 per 1,000 central line-days," the authors wrote. Highest rates of bloodstream infections linked to central line catheter use were seen to occur during 2020-21, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, which the researchers said may be due to overwhelmed ICUs, staff shortage and compromised infection prevention measures. The study -- first large-scale observational one, providing a standardised surveillance report of CLABSI in India -- provides a valuable opportunity for a quality improvement-based approach for the reduction of CLABSI, the authors said.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
No new COVID-19 case reported in Maharashtra
Mumbai: No new COVID-19 case has come to light in Maharashtra since last week, the state public health department said on Tuesday. The state has recorded a total of 2,763 COVID-19 patients and 44 deaths since January this year, Of the total 44 patients succumbing to the ailment, 43 were suffering with comorbidities and one was suffering from another disease. The health department said it has conducted 46,507 COVID-19 tests across the state since January 1, adding that 2,699 patients have recovered to date. Mumbai has reported 1,111 COVID-19 cases since January, including 551 in June, 102 in July, and 17 in August so far. PTI>
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
New Covid variant in US linked to pain chest and trouble staying awake: Check symptoms, treatment and prevention tips
Synopsis United States is seeing a rise in Covid cases in the summer season a new variant 'XFG' is to be blamed for the rise. As of August 9, XFG is now the dominant variant circulating in the US with western and southern states being the worst-hit. Experts have recommended a medical attention if you have inability to wake or stay awake. COVID can spike throughout the year, but tends to cause two distinct waves annually in the U.S., one in the winter and another in the summer. Covid-19 cases are rising across the United States as the country is facing a late summer wave driven by highly transmissible new variant known as 'XFG' variant. The data shows Covid-19 cases are rising in most US states, particularly in West and South, and COVID-related emergency room visits are up among all age groups, reports to CDC's latest data, during the week ending on Aug. 9, 8.9% of the 28,051 Americans tested were positive for COVID-19 and this was a 0.6 percent hike from the week prior. During the same period, 0.4% of cases resulted in death and 1% resulted in an emergency room visit, a 0.1% increase from the week prior for both categories, reports USA Today. Covid-19 cases are seeing a surge in the US and the current spike in COVID-19 in the US is being fueled by the mutated XFG variant, aka "Stratus," which is spreading rapidly worldwide. The XFG variant, first detected in January in Southeast Asia, resulted in spike in US Covid cases in March and has surpassed the NB.1.8.1 or 'Nimbus variant". ALSO READ: XFG 'Stratus' Covid variant in US: 8 key facts, risky states, symptoms, prevention As of August 9, XFG is now the dominant variant circulating in the US, according to wastewater data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Western and Southern states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as Alaska, had higher percentages of positive COVID-19 tests during the week ending August 9. XFG, a combination of variants F.7 and LP.8.1.2, is on the rise as of late, having been responsible for 0% of U.S. cases through March, 11% by early June and 14% by late June. As many as 11 US states are reporting 'high' or 'very high' levels and hard-hit states include Texas, California, and Florida. On June 25, the World Health Organization had classified XFG as a 'variant under monitoring' due to its rapid global spread. At that time, XFG had been detected in 38 countries and made up 22% of cases, globally. XFG is a recombinant or hybrid of two existing omicron strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, per the READ: Small US town proposes massive 225% property tax hike, highest increase in state: What it means for your wallet? '(XFG) is part of the very large omicron family of variants,' Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told XFG also has several unique mutations in its spike protein, which have been shown to improve the virus's ability to evade COVID-19 antibodies from prior infection or vaccination, per the WHO. Sore throat CoughCongestion or runny noseFever or chillsShortness of breathNew loss of sense of taste or smellFatigueHeadacheMuscle achesNausea, vomiting or diarrheaDuring the week ending Aug. 9, the following states reported the highest wastewater viral activity levels, per the CDC:AlabamaAlaskaCaliforniaConnecticutFloridaHawaiiLouisianaNevadaSouth CarolinaTexasUtah ALSO READ: Want student loan forgiveness? Register as ICE agent, says US government. Are you eligible for the relief? COVID can spike throughout the year, but tends to cause two distinct waves annually in the U.S., one in the winter and another in the summer. These surges are driven by new variants and decreasing immunity from prior infection and vaccination, as well as peaks in travel, experts current wave began around July. It's unclear when it will peak, but it's not showing any signs of slowing test positivity rate is about 9% as of Aug. 12 , per the CDC — during the peak of last summer's COVID wave, it was 18%.'COVID-19 continues to rise, with (wastewater) concentrations increasing by approximately 60% from last month,' a WastewaterSCAN spokesperson told Today. The Pandemic Mitigation Collective's COVID forecasting model, which uses data from various sources, estimates that there are an average of 512,000 new daily infections in the U.S. as of Aug of Aug. 10, emergency visits for COVID-19 are increasing among people of all ages, with a noticeable uptick among children under 12, per CDC data. ALSO READ: 1,000 foot mega-tsunami could wipe out large parts of America? These US states face maximum threat from monster wave COVID-19 vaccination is safe, effective, and one of the best ways to prevent severe illness and complications from COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against the XFG variant, the WHO said."Given these dominant strains now are part of the omicron family, last year's vaccine and the anticipated updated vaccines should cover these new strains," Schaffner told CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms:Trouble pain or pressure in the to wake or stay on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray, or blue.
