From doomscrolling to nomophobia: new digital

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-08-30T07:25:41.587Z • Permanent link

Doomscrolling, a term coined by researchers in 2021, has become a widely recognized phenomenon, describing the behavior of scrolling endlessly through distressing news on social media platforms. The term was initially used to describe the behavior of people who continued to scroll through disturbing news, even when it became clear that it was not going to improve their situation. However, in recent times, researchers have expanded the definition to include nomophobia, FOMO, and social media addiction, all of which are interconnected and have significant implications for our understanding of digital disorders.

According to a recent study published by the Royal Society for Public Health, social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have been instrumental in perpetuating these behaviors. The study found that 60% of 14-24-year-olds reported feeling anxious or depressed after using social media, and 45% reported feeling lonely. Meanwhile, a report by the Pew Research Center found that 70% of adults in the United States reported feeling overwhelmed by the news, and 45% reported feeling anxious.

These findings have significant implications for companies such as Facebook and Instagram, which have come under increasing scrutiny for their role in perpetuating these behaviors. In 2020, the French government fined Facebook €405 million for failing to protect users' personal data, and in 2022, the European Union imposed a fine of €746 million on WhatsApp for violating EU data protection regulations.

The impact of these digital disorders extends far beyond individual users, with significant implications for affected companies, research communities, markets, and policy environments. For example, a recent study by the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that social media addiction was associated with decreased productivity, decreased job satisfaction, and decreased overall well-being.

Meanwhile, companies such as Google and Amazon have been working to develop new products and services that can help mitigate the negative effects of social media addiction. For example, Google's "Digital Wellbeing" feature, introduced in 2019, provides users with tools to track their screen time and set limits on their use of certain apps. Similarly, Amazon's "Care Circle" program, launched in 2020, provides users with access to mental health resources and support.

The rise of digital disorders has significant implications for our understanding of the impact of technology on society. For example, a report by the World Health Organization found that mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, had increased by 30% between 2005 and 2015, coinciding with the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media platforms. Meanwhile, a report by the Pew Research Center found that 77% of adults in the United States reported feeling that the internet had a major impact on their lives, and 64% reported feeling that the internet had made it easier to access information.