Fingers tap on glowing rectangles for hours, swiping and scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, X, Facebook and more. This happens nonstop, phone users losing memory of anything else that exists.
This is otherwise known as doomscrolling, something that can keep people from getting their work done, spending time with their friends and family and can even contribute to their stress and mental health.
Doomscrolling plays a huge role in procrastination within students as well.
“Procrastination has negatively affected me mostly in my studies because I do it very late,” sophomore Mayuri Shrivastava says. “I think it’s because of Instagram and YouTube and it is one of the main reasons why I use my phone way too much.”
Doomscrolling makes up the main reason why students postpone studying and homework, letting the stress pile up.
It is understandable that high school students may want to take a break from school related activities and just relax, and there definitely are less stressful ways for people to spend their free time. This lifestyle change is known as digital detox.
“I like to read books a lot when I have nothing else to do,” sophomore Safiya Syeda says. “When all my homework is over, reading books is my go-to.”
Sometimes, people do not have a fixed activity that they know they are going to do. That is why exploring different interests is the enjoyable aspect of digital detox. Not solely for the reason of avoiding screen time, but also for the sake of maybe discovering something new about themselves.
“I’ve been experimenting with different mediums like acrylic paint and watercolor,” sophomore Treya Nalabothu says. “I feel like it’s been a really fun hobby of mine that I’ve been exploring more recently.”
It has been easier for Nalabothu to spend time offline by not having an easily accessible phone.
“Not having a phone has given me more time to focus on other things like my hobbies and schoolwork,” Nalabothu says.
Prioritizing screen-free activities can be therapeutic, and be a way to feel good about accomplishing something yourself. Meanwhile, doomscrolling can add stress, as it can become addictive due to requiring zero effort.
“I think drawing lets me express myself more and gives me time to focus on myself,” Nalabothu said. “So I do think it offers more benefits than social media.”
Additionally, apart from having benefits to one’s mental well being, participating in digital detox also offers important cognitive and social skills that doomscrolling cannot.
“Reading helps me with my English a lot because higher level books have higher level vocabulary,” Syeda said. “Getting to know perspectives of characters can really help me when I’m talking to people and making friends.”
This healthier way of spending time can also bring one closer to their hobby after finding more enjoyment in it by giving it a chance. This way, other important things are not forgotten due to the use of social media.
”That would give you time to do any of your hobbies like art, dancing, cooking, cleaning, whatever you like,” Shrivastava said. “It would also give you more time to study and hang out with your friends and family.”
You never know how beneficial digital detox could be without giving it a chance. So why not discover a healthier way to spend daily life? It is time to let your passions free and your mental health thrive.
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