Doomscrolling Behavior among Indonesian Adolescents: Psychological Correlates and Digital Media Usage Patterns

Abstract

The phenomenon of doomscrolling—the habit of compulsively scrolling through negative content on social media—has become an increasingly common behaviour among adolescents, especially in the post-pandemic era. This behaviour is characterized by the continuous consumption of information that is frightening, disappointing, or anxiety-inducing, which has an impact on adolescents' mental health and daily life balance. This study used a mixed-methods approach by distributing a quantitative survey to 600 adolescent respondents aged 15–18 years in three major cities in Indonesia (Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya) and conducting in-depth interviews with 24 adolescents selected based on their level of doomscrolling intensity. The results showed that 82.3% of respondents doomscrolled at least 4 times a week, with an average duration of 45 minutes per session. Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between doomscrolling frequency and anxiety levels (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), sleep disturbance (β = 0.47, p < 0.01), and decreased concentration in learning (β = 0.29, p < 0.05). Qualitative findings showed that doomscrolling was triggered by curiosity, FOMO (fear of missing out), and the desire to stay 'connected' to the latest social dynamics, even though the content consumed was negative. This behaviour tends to be unconscious and occurs automatically, especially at night before going to bed. This study suggests the need for holistic school- and family-based interventions that include digital literacy, stress management, and time management of social media use to reduce the negative impacts of doomscrolling on Indonesian adolescents.