doomscrolling
/ˈduːmˌskroʊlɪŋ/
Definition
The act of compulsively spending an extended amount of time reading or scrolling through negative or distressing news on a digital device, often leading to increased anxiety.
Etymology
The word is a modern portmanteau derived from 'doom' (referring to death, ruin, or negative fate) and 'scrolling' (referring to the action of navigating through content on a touchscreen). It gained widespread usage in the early 2020s to describe the collective experience of constant exposure to alarming news feeds.
In the news
The author identifies doomscrolling as a harmful habit that keeps individuals in a state of hyperarousal. She advises readers to limit this behavior to protect their mental well-being and maintain focus on positive, aspirational information.
The Most Important Part of Therapy Happens After You Leave the Therapist’s Office
Read the full article ↗Time Magazine