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. )

Example Sentences

Rosie Okatcha, an influencer from the U.K., proclaimed the year would be “The Age of Analog” with consumers swapping music streaming for iPods and vinyl records, and choosing crafting over doomscrolling.

From Los Angeles Times

The government had already said it would launch the public consultation in March, seeking opinions about restricting children's access to AI chatbots and limiting infinite scrolling features for children – also known as doomscrolling.

From BBC

They are supervised - no sitting on a bench next to the weights while doomscrolling for this lot - and are specifically designed with curling in mind.

From BBC

This leads to even more people, especially teens, spending all their time “doomscrolling” social feeds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Drop the doomscrolling for a day, make the time to read them all and become a better Southern Californian in the process.

From Los Angeles Times