What Is Doomscrolling? A Simple Explanation

Doomscrolling (noun): The act of spending excessive time scrolling through negative or distressing content online, even though it makes you feel worse.

The term exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of people found themselves glued to their phones, consuming an endless stream of bad news. But the behavior didn't stop when the pandemic did — it just shifted to whatever the current crisis is.

Why We Do It

It seems irrational. Why would you keep consuming content that makes you feel bad? Three reasons:

1. Threat monitoring. Your brain evolved to watch for danger. Negative news triggers your survival instinct — you feel like you need to keep watching in case something important happens.

2. Illusion of control. Staying informed feels like doing something, even when it isn't. Scrolling through bad news gives you a false sense of preparedness.

3. Dopamine loops. Each new piece of content — even negative content — triggers a small dopamine release. Your brain wants the novelty, regardless of the emotional cost.

The Real Cost

Research from the Texas Tech University found that doomscrolling is associated with:

• Increased anxiety and fear
• Greater feelings of helplessness
• Worse sleep quality
• Reduced ability to focus on work or relationships

How to Stop

• Set specific news times. Check the news twice a day for 10 minutes. That's enough.
• Curate your feed. Unfollow accounts that post primarily negative or sensational content.
• Notice the urge. When you feel pulled to scroll, pause. Ask: "Will this make me feel better or worse?"
• Use tools. Content filters and time limits can do the heavy lifting for you.

Doomscrolling isn't your fault. But breaking the habit is in your power.