- The act of spending an excessive amount of time compulsively scrolling through large quantities of negative, depressing, or anxiety-inducing news and content on social media or news websites.
- Often done despite the negative emotional impact (anxiety, sadness, anger, hopelessness).
Explanation
Origin
- The term gained significant traction around 2020, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, election cycles, and other global crises.
- It combines doom (referring to the overwhelmingly negative or catastrophic nature of the news being consumed) with scrolling (the physical act of navigating endless digital feeds).
- While the behavior likely existed before, the term crystallized the experience of feeling compelled to stay informed while simultaneously being harmed by the constant influx of distressing information.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Getting sucked into the bad news vortex/spiral
- Mainlining negativity
- Obsessively checking bad news
Milder/Descriptive:
- Spending too much time reading negative news online
- Compulsively consuming distressing content
- Getting overwhelmed by online news feeds
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Common in discussions about mental health, well-being, technology use, and reactions to news/social media.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- As a newer term, some might not know it. Explain it specifically means compulsively consuming *negative* content via scrolling, not just browsing the internet or reading news in moderation.
Examples
- I was up until 2 AM doomscrolling about the latest crisis.
- I need to stop doomscrolling; it's making my anxiety much worse.
- He fell into a doomscrolling rabbit hole and emerged hours later feeling awful.
Dialogue
Layla: I feel so overwhelmed and jumpy today.
Omar: Really? What's going on?
Layla: I think it's because I spent all last night doomscrolling through news updates and Twitter threads about the conflict. It just sucked me in.
Omar: Ah yeah, that'll do it. It’s like a morbid curiosity you can't switch off. Maybe try putting your phone in another room tonight?
Layla: Probably a good plan. Need to break the cycle.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Made a conscious effort to avoid doomscrolling today and read a book instead. Feeling noticeably calmer. Highly recommend. #mentalhealth #digitalwellbeing
- Instagram Post: (Graphic about setting boundaries with news) Caption: Protect your peace. Step away from the doomscrolling. Your mental health matters. #doomscroll #selfcare
- Reddit Thread: Tips for stopping the late-night doomscrolling habit?
Response Patterns
- Shared experience/Empathy: Oh man, I do that too. / It's such a hard habit to break. / I know exactly how you feel.
- Advice/Encouragement: Maybe try setting screen time limits? / You should take a break from the news. / Try to focus on positive things.
- Concern: That doesn't sound healthy. / Are you okay?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Discussing the triggers or topics leading to doomscrolling.
- Sharing strategies to reduce or stop the behavior (e.g., deleting apps, setting timers, finding alternative activities).
- Talking about the emotional impact and ways to cope.
Conversation Starter
- Yes. Can initiate conversations about technology habits, mental health, and coping with current events. Do you ever catch yourself doomscrolling? / How do you avoid doomscrolling?
Intonation
- Emphasis often on DOOMSCROLLING: DOOMscrolling.
- Tone is usually self-critical, weary, anxious, cautionary, or resigned.
Generation Differences
- Term is relatively new (post-2020), most frequently used and recognized by those active online during recent years (Millennials, Gen Z, some Gen X). The behavior itself can affect anyone with smartphone/internet access.
Regional Variations
- Universal term within English-speaking online culture.