York Festival of Ideas 2025 - Talk by Dr Anna G. Orfanidou

Doomscrolling and Mental Health

Tuesday 3 June 2025
3:00pm - 4:00pm (EEST)
Online

Speaker:
Anna G. Orfanidou
Researcher and Lecturer
Humanities Department, CITY College, University of York Europe Campus

Overview:
People often seek information as a means of coping with challenging situations. Attuning to negative information can be adaptive because it alerts people to risks in their environment, thereby preparing them for similar threats in the future. However, doomscrolling - the compulsive consumption of negative news - is linked to increased psychological distress, including anxiety, depression feelings of helplessness or even suicidal tendencies.

Anna G. Orfanidou of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus examines how we can reclaim control over our digital lives and break the cycle of constant negative media consumption. Join her as she explores tools for fostering mindful engagement, empowering individuals to shift from passive scrolling to active, conscious online interaction.

This event will take place live on Zoom Webinar.

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