Doomscroll
Calculator
How much of your life are you spending scrolling through negative news? Enter your daily screen time and find out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is the habit of compulsively scrolling through negative news on your phone or computer. It exploits your brain's negativity bias — the evolutionary tendency to pay more attention to threats than opportunities.
Is doomscrolling bad for your health?
Yes. Studies link excessive negative news consumption to increased anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and elevated cortisol levels. The American Psychological Association found that over 70% of Americans cite news as a significant source of stress.
How can I stop doomscrolling?
Key strategies include: setting a daily news budget (30 min max), replacing negative feeds with positive news sources like Brightcast, turning off push notifications, creating phone-free zones, and scheduling specific news check-in times.
How much time does the average person spend scrolling?
The average adult spends 2 hours and 27 minutes on social media daily (DataReportal, 2024). A significant portion of this time involves passive news consumption and doomscrolling.