Doomscrolling describes when someone spends an excessive amount of time consuming large quantities of news or other content, particularly negative news, on social media and other websites.
The content that people view while doomscrolling may make them feel sad, anxious, or angry.
This article discusses what doomscrolling is in more detail. It also explores how doomscrolling may affect health, why people doomscroll, and some tips to stop doomscrolling.
The term “doomscrolling” was coined in 2020 on an anonymous social media post and gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was a large-scale necessity to access new and updated information.
It describes when a person spends an excessive amount of time reading large quantities of news or other content online, particularly negative news on social media.
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Doomscrolling may contribute to a behavioral cycle of consuming and confirming negative news and other information, which may be difficult to break.
It may have a negative effect on someone’s mental health and well-being, leading to feelings of:
A 2024 study involving participants from Iran and the United States found that doomscrolling was associated with existential anxiety. The study authors also noted that doomscrolling was a significant predictor of misanthropy among the Iranian participants. Misanthropy refers to a dislike or distrust of humanity as a whole.
A 2023 study on adults who experienced major earthquakes in Türkiye found that doomscrolling may increase levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
An article from Harvard Medical School notes that people may also experience physical symptoms due to doomscrolling, such as:
- headaches
- difficulty sleeping
- muscle tension
- loss of appetite
- neck and shoulder pain
- elevated blood pressure, although this may not cause noticeable symptoms
People may start doomscrolling to remain aware of current events. Over time, people may have difficulty stepping away from websites and apps that facilitate doomscrolling, such as social media, due to the constant stream of new articles, videos, and audio content about current affairs.
The authors of a 2023 study noted that people who are already experiencing anxiety about the future may be more likely to engage in doomscrolling.
A 2024 study suggested that the current news media’s overemphasis on negative events could contribute to doomscrolling-inspired existential concerns.
Someone may doomscroll on a broad scale, or they may consume content about a specific topic.
For example, a 2025 study found that there was a significant positive correlation between general doomscrolling and climate change-specific doomscrolling. The study authors noted that females exhibited a greater propensity for doomscrolling behavior, as well as people who are already experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
You’ll notice the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.” While we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.
If a person finds themselves spending long amounts of time consuming negative news online, they may want to try some of the following tips:
- Set time limits: Most smartphones have settings that allow a person to set daily time limits on certain apps. If a person exceeds the time limit they set, the app will lock, and they will need to amend the settings to continue using it. Setting time limits may make someone more mindful about the amount of time they might spend doomscrolling.
- Delete news apps or unfollow news accounts: Some people want to avoid the temptation to look at news content on their devices altogether, so they may decide to delete news apps or unfollow news accounts on social media.
- Seek support from loved ones: A person may want to consider asking their family or friends to remind them to take a break from social media or the news cycle. This can be particularly helpful if a person is unaware of how much time they spend doomscrolling.
- Consider taking a break from technology: If the other tips are not helping, people may want to consider taking a break from social media or other technology they use to consume news altogether. If they are anxious about missing important updates, they may want to ask their loved ones to inform them of any significant updates or events that occur.
If people are experiencing mental or physical symptoms as a result of doomscrolling, or if they are having difficulty stopping doomscrolling, they may want to consider speaking with a healthcare professional. A healthcare professional may recommend coping strategies or other resources for support.
Doomscrolling is when a person spends an excessive amount of time reading large quantities of news or other content online, particularly negative news on social media.
Research indicates that doomscrolling can have negative effects on a person’s mental and physical health. For example, it may increase levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
People may want to try some techniques to stop doomscrolling, such as setting time limits, deleting news apps, or seeking support from loved ones. If they are experiencing mental or physical symptoms as a result of doomscrolling or having difficulty stopping doomscrolling, they may want to consider speaking with a healthcare professional.