In this MGA faculty Q&A, Cory Smith, senior lecturer in psychology, unpacks why our brains tend to fixate on negative news. He shares how to spot the warning signs of too much scrolling and provides research-based tips for reclaiming peace of mind in the digital age.
"Doomscrolling, the habit of endlessly consuming negative news, is basically your brain’s ancient threat-detection system running wild in the digital age. Humans are born with a negativity bias, which means we’re naturally drawn to notice, remember, and dwell on bad things more than good. That trait once helped our ancestors spot predators and avoid disease, but today it can keep us glued to our screens."
