doomscrolling

/duːmˈskroʊlɪŋ/
nounIntermediate
informal

The act of compulsively scrolling through negative or distressing news online, often leading to increased anxiety.

During the pandemic, many people found themselves doomscrolling late into the night.

People kept reading alarming news online for extended periods, worsening their stress.

💡

Often associated with increased anxiety and negative emotional states.

Collocations

doomscrolling throughcompulsively reading negative content

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

doomscrollingphrase
compulsively reading bad news online

💡Pro Tip

Avoid Doomscrolling

Set time limits for news consumption and take breaks to reduce anxiety.

Gold Rule

Mindful Consumption

Be aware of how doomscrolling affects your mood and take steps to limit exposure.

📖Word Origin

Coined in the 2010s, combining 'doom' (a sense of impending disaster) and 'scrolling' (moving through digital content).

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in discussions about mental health and online behavior. Often associated with social media and news consumption.

Word Breakdown

doom
a sense of impending disaster
root
+
scrolling
moving through digital content
root
English Dictionary