2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Trapped in the Algorithm: The Affect of Doom Scrolling on Mental Health

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Nichole Lasich

Abstract

This poster presentation questions the effect of “doom scrolling” on the cognitive function and mental health of young adults. “Doom Scrolling” is a term to explain the mindless scrolling on social media apps, mostly apps with curated content for the individual user, such as TikTok or Instagram. Social media is highly addictive. Our protective health factors, such as exercise and community, are affected when a considerable amount of time is spent scrolling. We will collect data from peer-reviewed journal articles to provide qualified insight, as well as conduct a study with a small sample of volunteers ranging from 18 to 24 years old. We aim to find a beneficial solution to minimize phone use. This topic is significant due to the negative effect social media has on cognition. Through this inquiry, we aim to have a better understanding of how social media functions as a determinant of health.

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