Social media often shows news and posts about what’s happening in the world, especially topics that lots of people are talking about. If you watch, like, or comment on this content, the algorithm learns and shows you more stories about similar events or opinions.
This can be a good way to learn about current events and social issues. But algorithms often push posts that get big reactions, like content that’s emotional, shocking, or controversial. These posts spread faster, even if they don’t show the full story.
Over time, this can shape what news you see most and limit the range of views in your feed. Understanding how this works helps you spot why certain stories keep popping up and remember that social media doesn’t always give a balanced picture of what’s really going on.
"...And if you like the videos and comment to try and boost the video, then you’ll get shown more and more of those videos, and then it’s pretty depressing, because then you’re just seeing people asking for money, and people in hospital…And it’s like, the more you want to help and you boost their videos, the more you see them, so it gets quite like doomscrolling. So, yeah, it can be difficult to balance it, because you don’t want to swipe away, but then also, you’re going to see so much more if you don’t."
"So this is one of the videos of someone who’s kind of raising funds for a family in Palestine because of the war… I watch them to the end, like comments, like the video as a way of trying to boost it as opposed to donating… And because of that, the algorithm obviously then feeds me more… if that’s a way of boosting the campaign and helping them, I will do that, but I think it is kind of sad that I don’t trust it… I have this mistrust of donating to things in that format ..."
"I think [content about the far right march in London] has been suggested to me because that day, there was a lot of content towards the protests and the counterprotests. I think it is kind of humorous in a way, but yeah, it did make me feel a bit disheartened that people actually think that. Also, I think, seeing that sort of content and it relating to where I live, it's a bit scary because a lot of it is related to race. Yeah, this is a very big white-majority area, where I live, where I am at the moment. As someone who's mixed race, that's, yeah, quite scary that people are shifting towards that view...
Many young people use social media to keep up with news and what’s happening in the world. This can be a good thing. Learning about important events can help you feel informed, understand different viewpoints, and care about issues that matter to you. Some people also use social media to support causes, speak up about unfairness, or help raise awareness.
But a lot of news online is negative or upsetting. Repeatedly seeing stories about war, disasters, discrimination, or people in danger can feel overwhelming. It can be hard to balance staying informed with protecting your mental health.
Because algorithms keep showing similar content once you interact with it, the same heavy or distressing news can appear again and again. Over time, this can increase stress, anxiety, or make the world feel scarier or more hopeless than it really is.
• Why do you think dramatic or emotional news spreads faster on social media?
• What skills do you need to use social media responsibly when sharing or engaging with political content?
• Why do you think dramatic or emotional news spreads faster on social media?
• What skills do you need to use social media responsibly when sharing or engaging with political content?
• Pick 1 or 2 trusted news accounts and use those, rather than letting the algorithm decide.
• Set a time limit (e.g., 10–15 minutes) or a Focus mode so news doesn’t take over your whole scroll.
• If you want to help without doomscrolling: Donate/share once, then hide/show less similar posts so your feed doesn’t turn into constant crisis.
• Avoid echo chambers. If you only see one viewpoint, follow one calm account with a different perspective.
