DOOMSCROLLING

/dUm skroling/

Verb

A continuous or excessive scrolling on smartphones, causing too much intake of information on the Internet (usually bad news) that may affect one’s mental health

WHAT IS “DOOMSCROLLING”

ORIGIN

First coined in 2020, when the pandemic began pushing everyone to spend more time on the Internet, doomscrolling was the term to describe what most people did as part of their routines, being on their phones the whole day.

Doomscrolling pertains to mindlessly scrolling on social media for a long period of time while pieces of information, usually negative news, unconsciously pile up and feed the mind.

According to Psychologist Susan Albers, doomscrolling greatly affects mental health as it reinforces negative mindset and thoughts, which may increase the feelings of stress, fear, sadness, as well as depression and anxiety.

See Also

US to screen for Ebola at airports; American in DR Congo infected

While doomscrolling often has a negative impact on mental health, it is better to take short breaks on Internet consumption or best, have a screentime schedule in one’s personal routines.

EXAMPLES

“I know it’s hard to get off your phone from time to time, but I suggest reading actual books sometimes instead of doomscolling all day.”

“The world has been giving us lots of bad news lately. With these issues popping up everywhere on social media, stress is the only thing I get from doomscrolling.”