doomscrolling

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❓What is doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is when someone spends a long time scrolling through social media or news feeds filled with negative or upsetting content. This might include stories about war, crime, disasters, or other distressing events. The term became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people were glued to their screens, reading one alarming headline after another. Today, it also describes the habit of falling into a spiral of bad news - often without realising it. Even though the content can cause stress, anxiety, or anger, people often keep scrolling. Over time, this can lead to online echo chambers, where the same negative messages get repeated and even amplified, sometimes fueling more division or hate.

Why do people doomscroll?
Doomscrolling might seem irrational—why keep reading upsetting news if it makes us feel worse? But there are a few key reasons it happens:
🧠We want to feel informed 
As parents, it’s natural to want to stay updated—especially when it comes to health, safety, or the world our kids are growing up in. But that desire to stay informed can turn into a habit of constantly checking for updates.
🚨Our brains are wired for danger 
Humans have a built-in "threat detector." We pay more attention to bad news because our brains are trying to protect us. In the past, that helped us survive. Today, it just keeps us stuck on scary headlines.
🔍 It feels like control (even when it’s not) 
Reading about a crisis might feel like doing something useful - like preparing or staying ahead. But instead of giving control, it often leads to more stress.
📲 Algorithms feed the cycle 
Social media and news apps are designed to keep us scrolling. The more we engage with negative content, the more of it we’re shown, creating a loop that’s hard to break.
😣It becomes a habit 
The more we scroll, the more automatic it feels. Like reaching for your phone first thing in the morning or during quiet moments it becomes something we do without thinking.

⚠️ Signs kids might be doomscrolling
Just like adults, kids and teens can fall into the trap of endlessly scrolling through upsetting or negative content—especially on social media.

• Mood changes after screen time
• Trouble sleeping or relaxing at night
• Obsession with bad news or dark content
• Difficulty focusing or feeling overwhelmed
• Secretive or excessive phone use 
• Feeling hopeless or scared about the world

🚨What's the impact?
Too much exposure to scary or negative content can make kids feel the world is unsafe. They may become more anxious about things like school shootings, climate change, war, or disease—even if the risk to them is small.

• Increased anxiety and fear

• Sleep disruption
• Emotional numbness or helplessness
• Negative worldview 
• Trouble focusing or staying motivated
• Exposure to misinformation or extremist content

​🙋‍♂️Tips to help kids manage doomscrolling
Doomscrolling can make it hard for kids to use their devices in a healthy way. They might not realise when endless scrolling is affecting their mood or wellbeing—and before they know it, the habit takes over.

⏰Set clear screen time limits 
Work with your child to agree on daily limits for social media or news apps. Use built-in phone tools to help enforce these.
📵Create tech-free zones and times 
Designate places like the dinner table or bedrooms—and times like before bedtime—as phone-free. This encourages breaks and better sleep.
🧘‍♂️Encourage mindful scrolling 
Teach kids to notice how content makes them feel. If something makes them anxious or upset, it’s okay to stop scrolling or switch to something positive.
 🌳Offer alternative activities
Help your child find other ways to relax or have fun - like playing outside, reading, drawing, or spending time with family and friends.
💬 Talk openly about what they see online 
Ask about the news or posts that catch their attention. Help them understand what’s real, what’s opinion, and what might be exaggerated or false.
👨‍👩‍👧Model healthy habits yourself 
Kids learn a lot by watching. Show them how you take breaks from doomscrolling and choose balanced screen time.
 🌟Use positive apps and content
Encourage apps, websites, or channels that inspire, educate, or entertain without focusing on negativity.
🔄 Turn off notifications
You can choose to turn off notifications from social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. This will prevent them from tempting your child to open the apps and begin a doomscrolling session.

It’s important for children to stay informed about what’s happening in the world. To support this, consider giving your child access to newspapers or choosing news sources with carefully selected, age-appropriate stories.
There are also news platforms made specifically for kids—like BBC Newsround and First News. These sources help children understand current events in a way that’s easy to follow and avoids the endless, negative feeds that can lead to doomscrolling.

​Remember, guiding your child’s news intake helps them stay informed and emotionally healthy. By choosing the right sources and setting good habits early, you’re helping them build a balanced view of the world—without getting stuck in a doomscrolling cycle. 🌟