Experts warn of cognitive risks from doomscrolling habit

PETALING JAYA: The habit of endlessly scrolling through social media content, especially non-educational or trivial material, is becoming alarmingly common among Malaysians, sparking concerns over a rising wave of internet addiction.
Mental health experts warn that the compulsive behaviour, known as doomscrolling and driven by constant exposure to digital media, may take a toll on cognitive health and carry serious, long-term neurological consequences.
Malaysia Organisation of Psychospiritual Wellbeing deputy chairman Dr Adnan Omar said internet addiction often begins in the early stages of life, forming during childhood and adolescence when behavioural patterns are still developing.
He referred to statistics from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022, which revealed that 66.7% of secondary school students exhibited sedentary behaviour,
up from 50.1% in 2017 and 47.3% in 2012.
'The Malaysian Youth Index 2020 reported that adolescents spend an average of four to five hours daily on mobile phones and the internet.'
'About 29% of students aged 13 to 17 are already showing signs of internet addiction. That's a significant portion of our youth being shaped by these habits from a very young age,' he said, adding that digital addiction does not develop overnight.
'No one suddenly wakes up addicted. These behaviours evolve gradually, often reinforced by social media algorithms that narrow a user's exposure and stifle broader experiences.
'If a child is constantly fed repetitive or shallow content, they may grow into adulthood with a limited range of interests and diminished curiosity.'
He also said the World Health Organisation now recognises internet addiction as a clinical mental disorder under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). He added that the endless supply of online content has made procrastination more prevalent than ever.
'People have always procrastinated, even before the digital era. Back then, it might have meant going for a jog or chatting with a neighbour. But physical activities have limits – time, energy and space.
'The internet doesn't. It's always available, always updating and never runs out. That's what makes it such a powerful enabler of bad habits.'
Based on DSM-5 criteria, Adnan said anyone spending more than 21 hours per week on non-essential internet use – not related to work, family or education – could be classified as experiencing clinical addiction.
'This is internationally recognised. Countries such as China and Australia have introduced legislation to limit children's access to the internet.'
Beyond emotional well-being, experts also say internet addiction could be quietly impairing how the brain processes, focuses and remembers.
Universiti Putra Malaysia consultant neurologist Assoc Prof Dr Abdul Hanif Khan said there is growing evidence linking compulsive smartphone use to reduced attention span, working memory and decision-making capabilities.
'Constant scrolling trains the brain to seek fast, bite-sized information. Over time, it erodes the ability to concentrate, reduces mental clarity and leads to subtle memory lapses.
'These are early indicators of what we call minimal cognitive impairment. If this trend continues, we may see it becoming far more common among Generation Z in the next three decades.'
He also said the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the region responsible for impulse control and reasoning, is overstimulated by dopamine surges triggered by constant digital engagement during doomscrolling.
He added that symptoms of concern include short-term memory issues, mental fatigue and difficulty focusing or completing tasks.
'These may not directly cause dementia, but once such impairment begins to affect a person's ability to manage money, operate devices or carry out basic responsibilities, we're entering the territory of neurocognitive disorders.'
Abdul Hanif also warned about the emotional fallout of excessive screen time, pointing to increased rates of anxiety, depression and sleep disruption.
He linked these patterns to overstimulation of the amygdala, the emotional control centre of the brain, which becomes hyperactive due to constant digital input.
'You'll notice how people become restless or anxious when separated from their phones. That's not a coincidence.
'Emotion and cognition are closely linked. If unhealthy internet habits formed in youth go unchecked, they can evolve into serious neurological and emotional dysfunction in adulthood.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Straits Times

4 hours ago

• New Straits Times

Cambodia reports fifth bird flu death this year

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia registered its fifth bird flu death this year after a 52-year-old man died from the virus, the Health Ministry said today. The villager from eastern Svay Rieng province died on Thursday with tests confirming he had contracted the avian flu virus H5N1, the Cambodian Health Ministry said in a statement. "The victim touched sick and dead chickens two days before he fell ill," it said, adding he had "fever, cough, and difficulty breathing" before he died at a hospital. Last month, Cambodia registered its fourth death from bird flu this year after an 11-year-old boy died from the virus. The H5N1 virus is generally transmitted to humans after contact with infected birds or in high-risk environments, such as farms or live animal markets, but the likelihood of transmission to humans remains rare. A total of 43 people died from bird flu in Cambodia between 2003 and 2024, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). There were no cases between 2014 and 2022, following which the WHO reported an uptick as the virus killed four people in the kingdom in 2023 and two last year.

The Star

14 hours ago

• The Star

Three Malaysian haj pilgrims die from heart attacks in Saudi

PETALING JAYA: There have been two more deaths of Malaysian haj pilgrims in the holy land, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) wrote in a Facebook post on Friday (June 20) that Tabung Haji has managed all the needs of the deceased in accordance with Islamic law, including the management of the burial in the Holy Land. 'On behalf of the Malaysian Government and all members of the haj agency, I express my condolences to the family members of the deceased. May their souls be granted forgiveness, mercy and placed among the righteous,' wrote Mohd Na'im The first pilgrim, Abd Wahab Yahaya, aged 63, from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, died on 19 June at 4.50pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hotel Al-Mubarak, Shisha. The second pilgrim, Mohamed Jafri Yahya, aged 60, from Tanah Rata, Pahang, died on 19 June at 7.39pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hospital Jiwar, Makkah. The third pilgrim, Norizan Tarsi, aged 59, from Butterworth, Penang, died on 20 June at 6.45am (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Abraj Al-Tayseer. More than 31,600 Malaysians performed the haj pilgrimage this year, which concluded on June 9. Malaysian pilgrims had begun returning home from June 14 onwards.

Sinar Daily

15 hours ago

• Sinar Daily

Urban lifestyle and modest dressing linked to higher vitamin D deficiency rates, especially among women

Vitamin D deficiency, a condition often associated with countries with limited sunlight, is surprisingly prevalent in Malaysia. Health experts share the impacts on the population's health, particularly among urban dwellers, women and specific ethnic groups. Speaking to Sinar Daily, Consultant Public Health Specialist, Professor Dr Hematram Yadav explained the widespread nature of the issue, emphasising that even in a sunlit tropical nation like Malaysia, vitamin D deficiency affects children, adolescents and adults. One of the main culprits behind this unexpected health concern is Malaysia's urban lifestyle. Dr Hematram said many Malaysians spend the majority of their day indoors—working, studying or simply avoiding the heat. "This significantly reduces their exposure to sunlight, which is crucial for the body's natural synthesis of vitamin D," he said. The cultural and clothing practices of certain groups further exacerbate this issue. For example, modest dressing, common among many Malaysians, including hijabs and long garments, limits direct skin exposure to sunlight, impacting vitamin D synthesis. Additionally, ethnicity plays a key role. Studies indicate that Malays and Indians, who typically have darker skin tones, require longer sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as those with lighter skin tones, such as Malaysian Chinese. This biological reality, combined with lifestyle and dietary habits, puts these groups at higher risk. Vitamin D deficiency appears to disproportionately affect Malaysian women. 'Females tend to have lower Vitamin D levels than males,' noted Dr Hematram. He said this disparity is linked to cultural practices, limited outdoor activities and physiological differences, with the elderly and pregnant women particularly vulnerable. Meanwhile, Professor in Epidemiology and Public Health at Universiti Malaya, Dr Moy Foong Ming, pointed to findings from a systematic review on vitamin D status in Malaysia. 'The pooled proportion of vitamin D insufficiency (<50 nmol/L) was a staggering 64 per cent. Urban populations, women and Malays and Indians showed significantly higher rates of deficiency,' she revealed. According to her, the implications of vitamin D deficiency are severe and far-reaching. Modest dressing, common among many Malaysians, including hijabs and long garments, limits direct skin exposure to sunlight, impacting vitamin D synthesis. Photo: Canva Dr Moy said the long-term deficiency can lead to weakened bones, increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis, particularly among the elderly. "Women, especially postmenopausal, are at risk of osteomalacia and osteoporosis due to a loss of bone density. "Pregnant women face heightened risks, with deficiency linked to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia, preterm births and impaired fetal bone development. "Adolescents, too, bear the brunt of this deficiency, which can hinder peak bone mass development, impact cognitive performance, and contribute to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety," she said. Beyond bone health, Dr Moy said vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders and even mental health conditions like seasonal affective disorder. Recognising the symptoms Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency often go unnoticed until severe. Common signs include fatigue, muscle and bone pain, slow wound healing, increased susceptibility to illnesses, hair loss and even depression. Therefore, the expert said combatting vitamin D deficiency in Malaysia requires a multi-faceted approach Education and awareness: Many Malaysians remain unaware of their risk or how to safely obtain vitamin D. Dispelling myths about sun exposure, such as fears of skin cancer, is essential. Dietary improvements: Encouraging the consumption of vitamin D-rich foods, including fatty fish like salmon and sardines, fortified products, and supplements, can bridge the gap. Promoting safe sun exposure: Malaysians should aim for short periods of sun exposure, particularly in the morning or late afternoon, when UV rays are less harmful. The tropical sunlight that bathes Malaysia year-round should ideally protect its population from vitamin D deficiency. However, as urbanisation and lifestyle changes continue to shift Malaysians indoors, it becomes increasingly important to ensure the public is informed and equipped to address this hidden health issue.