Coping Strategies of
Teenagers Addictive of
Doomscrolling
Kirk Dustin F. Telesforo
Introduction
Smartphones have grown to be an extension a part of a teenagers daily lives, accompanying them almost
anywhere and always. They rely upon these gadgets for numerous exercises, from communication to leisure.
however, this steady connection increases concerns particularly the additive habit of endlessly watching or
scrolling through an unlimited steam of videos and medias on different social media platforms.
As a teenager, I have personally experienced how a five-minute TikTok break can quickly turn into an hour
of mindless scrolling. It becomes easy to lose track of time, pushing aside schoolworks, responsibilities, and
even proper rest.
The addictive habit of doomscrolling, blended with the already traumatic responsibilities of teens, poses
widespread challenges to time management, potentially main to decrease academic overall performance, growth
stress and feeling of inadequacy.
Background of the Study
Social media has reshaped how teenagers communicate, what they find entertaining, and the way they engage
with education some might say for better, others for worse. These platforms, although useful for information and
socialization, lead to several other negative behaviors, highlighted by doomscrolling—the action of compulsively
scrolling through online content that can take a negative and overwhelming nature. This is especially troubling
among teenagers, who have not yet mastered the skills of self- discipline and managing their time.
Doomscrolling referring to the habit of endlessly scrolling through social media feeds, which can lead to loss of
productivity, and disrupted sleep patterns, not to mention additional stress and anxiety levels. According to a
study conducted by Rajeshwari & Meenakshi (2023) claims that internet addiction, specifically in the form of
social media overuse, can lead to poor self-regulation behaviors, which involve increased reliance on the internet
that leaves student academics and emotions suffering. The Philippines is ranked second, next to Nigeria, among
developing countries with the highest number of smartphone users aged 15-24. (Reyes, 2022), the issue of
doomscrolling has become more pressing. Filipino youth spend an average of six to ten hours daily on their
smartphones, with a significant portion dedicated to social media browsing (Balani, 2019). This excessive screen
time impacts their ability to focus on schoolwork, maintain real-life relationships, and get adequate rest.
Regardless of recognizing the negative effects of doomscrolling, many Filipino teens struggle to regulate their
social media intake due to the attractive nature of content algorithms and the big digital culture (Santos & Dela
Cruz, 2021). but, some employ numerous coping strategies, together with putting display time limits, the usage of
virtual wellness apps, or carrying out alternative sports like sports and socializing offline. The effectiveness of
those techniques varies depending on man or woman area and outside influences, which includes parental steerage
and college guidelines.
Given the developing commonness of doomscrolling amongst Filipino teenagers, it is critical to discover how
they deal with this so-called dependency. This study objectives to analyze the coping mechanisms employed
through young adults hooked on doomscrolling, inspecting their effectiveness in lowering excessive screen time
and mitigating its poor effects. through knowledge those coping strategies, this research seeks to offer insights into
how Filipino teenagers can increase healthier digital behavior whilst maintaining balance in their academic and
private lives.
Gaps
In spite of the increasing recognition of doomscrolling and its negative effects on teenagers, there remains a loss
of localized studies exploring how Filipino teenagers cope with this virtual addiction. existing studies has by and
large focused at the psychological and academic results of immoderate social media use (Rajeshwari et al., 2023),
but there is restrained empirical information at the particular coping mechanisms that teenagers hire to manage or
reduce doomscrolling conduct. even as worldwide studies have mentioned interventions which includes digital
detox strategies, self-discipline strategies, and parental guidance, their applicability within the Philippine context
stays uncertain due to cultural differences, varying digital literacy stages, and socio-financial elements.
Moreover, even as research inclusive of Santos and Dela Cruz (2021) have examined social media addiction
amongst Filipino senior excessive college novices, they do now not in particular deal with doomscrolling as a
awesome phenomenon. Doomscrolling is unique in its attention on extended exposure to terrible or sensationalized
content material, which might also have different mental and behavioral implications in comparison to preferred
social media use. additionally, Reyes (2022) highlights that Filipino youth rank many of the top phone users in
developing nations, yet research on how they balance their digital consumption with instructional and personal
obligations stays inadequate.
By means of addressing a crucial gap in existing research, this study aims to promote more healthy digital habits
among Filipino teenagers , ensuring they can maximize the benefits of technology without compromising their
well-being, academic success, and personal growth.
Statement of the Problem
The purpose of this study is to explore the coping strategies of Filipino teenagers who are addicted on
doomscrolling and to apprehend how this dependency affects their time management, academic performance, and,
mental well-being. As social media usage continues to rise among Filipino teenagers, immoderate doomscrolling
endlessly consuming negative information and online content has end up a growing problem.
This study seeks to perceive the common symptoms and behavioral patterns of doomscrolling among
Filipino teenagers. It aims to study how this habit relates to their academic performance, social relationships, and
mental health. Additionally, it explores the coping strategies that teenagers use to manage and lessen their
doomscrolling tendencies and assesses the effectiveness of these strategies in supporting them regain focus,
productiveness, and a healthy lifestyle.
Research Questions
1. What are the common triggers that lead Filipino teenagers to engage in doomscrolling?
2. What coping strategies do teenagers use to manage or reduce their doomscrolling habits?
3. How effective are these coping strategies in helping teenagers regain focus and productivity?
4. What interventions can be suggested to help teenagers develop healthier digital habits?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it gives insights into the coping strategies of Filipino teenagers hooked on
doomscrolling, losing light on an emerging virtual problem that impacts their time control, instructional overall
performance, and intellectual nicely-being. The findings of this look at will benefit the subsequent groups:
1. Filipino Teenagers
This study will assist teens grow to be aware of their doomscrolling behavior and its potential negative
consequences on their productivity, academic performance, and intellectual health.
2. Parents and Guardians
Parents often struggle to recognize and adjust their kid's social media use. This study will provide crucial
insights into the challenges teenagers face and propose realistic interventions that parents can act to support their
children in developing better screen time management skills.
3. Mental Health Professionals
Psychologists, guidance counselors, and other mental health professionals will benefit from this study by
means of gaining a deeper understanding of how doomscrolling contributes to pressure, anxiety, and
procrastination among teens. The findings can assist experts design targeted interventions to assist teenagers in
coping with their mental health and online behaviors.
4. Future Researchers
This research will serve as a foundation for future studies on doomscrolling and social media addiction in
the Philippines. It will contribute to existing literature and provide a basis for further exploration of
interventions, long-term effects, and preventive measures to help Filipino teenagers maintain a balanced digital
lifestyle.
Scope and Delimitation
This study focuses on Filipino teenagers aged 13-20 years old who exhibit addictive doomscrolling
behaviors. It specifically examines the causes, effects, and coping strategies of doomscrolling, including its impact
on time management, academic performance, and mental well-being of a teenager. The primary respondents of this
study are high school students of Bulalacao National Highschool who actively use social media for at least three
hours per day and experience difficulties in limiting their screen time.
The study is limited to students in Bulalacao National Highschool and does not extend to other age groups
or working professionals.. The research will utilize surveys and standardized interviews to gather both qualitative
and quantitative data on doomscrolling habits and copingstrategies. Due to time and resource constraints, the study
will be conducted within the first quarter of the school year 2025-2026, limiting its ability to analyze long-term
behavioral changes related to doomscrolling.
Literature Review
A term that describes the compulsive consumption of negative news and social media content, has emerged
as a normal trouble amongst young adults inside the digital age. studies indicates that this behavior is related to
immoderate cellphone use, especially on social media platforms, wherein users continuously have interaction with
distressing information (Thompson, 2022). it's been observed that individuals who struggle with uncertainty and
anxiety are greater susceptible to doomscrolling, as they searching for information to relieve their fears however
rather grow to be trapped in an infinite cycle of negativity and addiction (Williams & Cruz, 2023).
One of the primary challenges related to doomscrolling is its negative impact on mental health. studies has
validated that long-time period exposure to distressing content material results in stress, anxiety, and depressive
symptoms (Garcia et al., 2021). Amongst teenagers, who are already susceptible to emotional fluctuations, this
addiction can drastically disrupt their well-being, academic performance, and sleep patterns (Del Rosario, 2022).
Furthermore, doomscrolling has been related to avoidance behaviors, where people end up significantly absorbed
in online material to get away actual-existence stressors, similarly worsening their struggles (Mendoza, 2023).
Moreover, the increasing occurrence of doomscrolling amongst teenagers has raised issues approximately
its impact on their time management, educational performance, and mental health. Doomscrolling, characterized
through the compulsive consumption of poor or excessive online content material, has been related to expanded
stress, tension, and reduced productivity (Sharma & Gupta, 2023). within the Philippines, where Filipino youth are
many of the maximum cellphone customers in developing countries (Balani, 2019), immoderate social media
consumption exacerbates these troubles. Many young adults struggle to manage their display time, leading to
procrastination, sleep deprivation, and declining instructional engagement (Del Mundo, 2023).
To address the adverse effects of doomscrolling, various coping strategies have been identified. Studies
suggest that digital detoxification, such as setting screen time limits and using app restrictions, can help mitigate
compulsive scrolling (Santos & Reyes, 2022). Mindfulness practices, including meditation and cognitive
reframing, have also been effective in reducing the anxiety-driven need to consume negative news (Lopez, 2021).
Moreover, structured daily routines and engaging in offline activities, such as sports or creative hobbies, provide
teenagers with alternative outlets to manage stress and avoid excessive screen time (Fernandez, 2023).
Support systems play a crucial role in helping teenagers combat doomscrolling. Parental guidance and
school-based digital literacy programs have been identified as essential in promoting responsible social media
usage (Dela Cruz, 2023). Peer support and counseling services also contribute to raising awareness and offering
intervention strategies for students experiencing the negative effects of excessive online consumption (Rodriguez,
2022). By fostering a balanced relationship with digital technology, teenagers can develop healthier online habits
and reduce their susceptibility to doomscrolling.
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