Document Type
Paper
Publication Date
3-25-2026
Abstract
Doomscrolling, the act of repetitively consuming negative news and social media content, has become a common addiction among younger adults. This paper applies social comparison theory to explore why doomscrolling often diminishes individuals’ self-esteem. Social media often promotes upward comparisons by presenting a “perfect” view of others’ lives, which can trigger negative emotions and envy.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Emma Kuiper. "Why Doomscrolling Makes Us Feel Worse About Ourselves: A Social Comparison Perspective" (2026). Psychology Student Publications. 125.
https://commons.und.edu/psych-stu/125
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