For many people, scrolling through endless streams of news, social media posts and alarming updates has become a daily routine. Whether it happens before bed, during breaks at work, or immediately after waking up, the habit known as "doomscrolling" has become a common way people consume information in an increasingly connected world.
But mental health researchers warn that repeatedly exposing the brain to a cycle of negative content may have consequences beyond wasted screen time. Studies suggest that excessive doomscrolling may contribute to higher anxiety levels, disrupted sleep, difficulty concentrating, and changes in how people seek and process information.
While social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged, experts say the human brain is particularly vulnerable to content that triggers fear, anger or uncertainty.
Why the brain gets stuck in a doomscrolling cycle
Doomscrolling refers to repeatedly consuming negative or distressing information online, often for longer periods than intended. The behavior became especially widespread during periods of crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people relied on digital platforms for updates about health, safety and world events.
Researchers believe that part of the reason doomscrolling is difficult to stop is the brain's natural tendency to prioritize threats.
From an evolutionary perspective, humans are wired to pay attention to potential dangers. Negative information can feel more urgent because identifying threats was historically important for survival. In the modern digital environment, however, that same instinct can lead people to repeatedly check distressing headlines, even when doing so increases stress.
A 2022 study found that greater exposure to COVID-19-related news was associated with increased psychological distress among participants during the early months of the pandemic.
Although the study focused on pandemic-related information, researchers say the findings highlight how repeated exposure to threatening content can influence mental health.
Doomscrolling, anxiety, and the stress response
One of the biggest concerns surrounding excessive negative media consumption is its relationship with anxiety.
When people repeatedly encounter alarming content, the brain may interpret the constant stream of threats as a reason to remain alert. This can trigger the body's stress response, increasing stress hormone levels and making it harder to relax.
For individuals already experiencing anxiety, doomscrolling may reinforce a cycle of worry. A person may check updates because they feel uncertain, briefly feel more informed, then encounter new concerns that increase the urge to keep scrolling.
The American Psychological Association has reported that ongoing exposure to stressful news can contribute to feelings of anxiety and emotional exhaustion, particularly when people feel they have little control over the events they are following.
How doomscrolling can interfere with sleep
Many people engage in doomscrolling at night, but experts warn that bedtime scrolling can interfere with healthy sleep patterns.
The issue is not only exposure to blue light from screens. Reading emotionally intense content before bed may keep the brain in a heightened state of alertness, making it harder to fall asleep.
Poor sleep can then worsen emotional regulation, making people more vulnerable to stress and anxiety the following day.
According to the Sleep Health Foundation, technology use before bedtime can negatively affect sleep by delaying relaxation and exposing people to stimulating content when the brain should be preparing for rest.
Researchers have also linked insufficient sleep with changes in attention, mood and decision-making, creating a cycle where fatigue may make it harder to resist compulsive scrolling.
Does dopamine make doomscrolling addictive?
Doomscrolling is sometimes described as an "addiction," but experts caution that it is not officially classified as one.
However, researchers say the behavior may involve reward pathways in the brain.
Social media platforms often use features such as endless scrolling, notifications and personalized recommendations to encourage continued engagement. Each new post creates uncertainty about what comes next, which can encourage users to keep checking.
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motivation and reward, plays a role in how humans respond to new and potentially rewarding experiences. While dopamine is not simply a "pleasure chemical," it helps reinforce behaviors by signaling that something may be worth pursuing.
The unpredictable nature of social media feeds may encourage repeated checking because users are constantly searching for new information, reactions, or updates.
Is doomscrolling harming attention span?
Beyond emotional health, researchers are also examining how constant digital stimulation may affect attention.
Frequent switching between headlines, videos, notifications, and social media posts can train the brain to expect rapid changes in information, making sustained focus more difficult for some people.
A 2025 review published in the Children and Youth Services Review examined how digital media use can influence attention and cognitive processes, noting that the relationship between technology and attention is complex and depends on factors such as the type of content consumed and individual habits.
Experts emphasize that occasional scrolling is unlikely to cause lasting harm. The concern is that when digital consumption becomes excessive, it interferes with daily responsibilities or replaces healthier activities such as sleep, exercise, and social interaction.
How to break the doomscrolling habit
Mental health professionals recommend setting boundaries around digital consumption rather than completely avoiding news or social media.
Strategies may include:
- Setting specific times to check news updates
- Avoiding distressing content before bedtime
- Turning off unnecessary notifications
- Following reliable sources instead of repeatedly searching for updates
- Taking regular breaks from screens
- Replacing scrolling with activities that reduce stress, such as exercise or spending time with others
Experts say staying informed is not inherently harmful. The problem occurs when information consumption becomes a source of ongoing distress.
As social media continues to shape how people experience the world, researchers are still studying the long-term effects of constant digital exposure. But the growing evidence suggests that the way people consume information may be just as important as the information itself.
