doomscrolling

American  

[doom-skroh-ling] / ˈdumˌskroʊ lɪŋ /

Or doom-scrolling

noun

Digital Technology.

1. the practice of obsessively checking online news for updates, especially on social media feeds, with the expectation that the news will be bad, such that the feeling of dread from this negative expectation fuels a compulsion to continue looking for updates in a self-perpetuating cycle.

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Etymology

Origin of doomscrolling

First recorded in 2016; doomscroll ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Doomscrolling is the act of endlessly scrolling through bad news, seemingly unable to stop yourself even when you know it’s dragging you down. Doomscrolling often leaves people overwhelmed or anxious. This behavior became more common with the rise of smartphones and social media, where bad news is always just a swipe away. Instead of looking away, doomscrolling keeps you glued to the screen, drawn into a cycle of worry. Understanding doomscrolling can help you break free from the habit and take control of your screen time.

Example Sentences

It was during a moment of pre-bedtime doomscrolling when I came across a trend so ludicrous that I had to set my phone down and laugh.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

You’ve heard of doomscrolling on your phone to pass the time — but what about “doomjobbing” while looking for work?

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Freed from doomscrolling, she's busily cooking up new music.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

And while this dressing-down of beloved works might seem like another bummer in a world of doomscrolling, @heartthrobanderson is anything but.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Here’s the catch: School usually ends around 3 p.m., but doomscrolling doesn’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025