Doomscrolling behavior linked to platform design and negative content consumption

A scientific review analyzing 17 studies has examined the phenomenon of doomscrolling, which is the repetitive and difficult-to-stop consumption of negative news or content in digital environments.

Research indicates that this habit is reinforced by platform features such as infinite scrolling and algorithmic recommendations. These design elements remove natural stopping points that exist in traditional media, creating a continuous stream of content. This behavior often occurs when users seek information about concerning topics, such as wars or climate crises, in hopes of finding clarity, but instead encounter a prolonged sequence of negative information.