Doomscrolling

Doomscrolling is the repeated, uncritical consumption of negative or disturbing news and content on digital devices through constant scrolling. It often arises during crises or periods of uncertainty and can continue even when the material worsens mood or well-being. It commonly involves smartphones, tablets, and computers and is sustained by the rapid, endless flow of online information.

The term emerged in the late 2010s as smartphones and social feeds made feeds continuously accessible, and it gained particular prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many users encountered a flood of alarming updates.

Mechanisms include the brain’s negativity bias, the salience of alarming headlines, and algorithmic reinforcement that rewards engagement. Chronic doomscrolling is associated with higher anxiety, stress, irritability, sleep disturbance, and reduced productivity, and may foster feelings of helplessness or information fatigue.

While not confined to a single demographic, doomscrolling is more common among heavy social media users and individuals seeking rapid crisis updates. It can happen with news articles, comments, memes, and other distressing content, regardless of platform.

Mitigation strategies include setting fixed limits on news time, curating feeds to trustworthy sources, unfollowing or muting distressing accounts, and turning off nonessential notifications. Additional steps include digital curfews, offline activities, and mindfulness or cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage emotional responses.