Doomscrolling
doomscrolling
/ˈduːmˌskrəʊlɪŋ/
Definition
Meaning: Doomscrolling refers to the habit of continuously scrolling through negative or distressing news and content online, often for extended periods. This behaviour can lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness, or despair, as the individual becomes consumed by a cycle of consuming bleak information.
Signification: Faire défiler sans fin des contenus négatifs; S'engluer dans un flux d'actualités anxiogènes
Note: The term gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and is often associated with the compulsive consumption of social media or news platforms.
Word Analysis
French synonyms » Faire défiler sans fin des contenus négatifs » S'engluer dans un flux d'actualités anxiogènes » Consommation compulsive de mauvaises nouvelles » Surfer sur la vague du pessimisme » Se noyer dans un flot d'informations déprimantes [Il passe des heures à faire défiler des mauvaises nouvelles, c'est du doomscrolling pur et simple.] English synonyms » Doomsurfing » Negative scrolling » Gloomscrolling » Anxiety scrolling » News bingeing [She spent the evening doomscrolling through social media, feeling more anxious with every post.]
Example Dialogue
Thabo: "Hey, how's it going? You look a bit down." Mpho: "I’ve been doomscrolling again. I just can’t seem to stop reading all these depressing news articles." Thabo: "Oh no, that’s not good. You know how bad that is for your mental health." Mpho: "I know, but it’s like I’m glued to my phone. Every time I try to stop, I just find myself scrolling through more bad news." Thabo: "Maybe you should set a time limit for yourself or switch to something more positive, like funny videos or uplifting stories." Mpho: "That’s a good idea. I’ll try that. Thanks, Thabo."
Etymology
Origin: The term "doomscrolling" is a portmanteau of the word "doom," referring to a sense of impending disaster or negativity, and "scrolling," which describes the action of moving through content on a digital device. It emerged in the early 21st century, gaining significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as people increasingly consumed distressing news and social media content. The term reflects the compulsive behaviour of endlessly scrolling through bleak or anxiety-inducing information, often leading to a cycle of stress and helplessness. It has since become a widely recognised concept in discussions about digital habits and mental health.
Audience
The term "doomscrolling" is commonly used in discussions about digital behaviour, mental health, and media consumption, particularly in the context of social media and news platforms.
When to use: Use "doomscrolling" when describing the habit of compulsively consuming negative or distressing content online, often leading to feelings of anxiety or despair. It is suitable for both casual and formal conversations about modern digital habits. For example: "I realised I was doomscrolling for hours last night, and it left me feeling completely drained."
Dictionary Meaning
Le Monde defines doomscrolling as "the compulsive consumption of anxiety-inducing information, which is a behavior born from the intersection of human curiosity and the products of digital platforms." My example of use: After a hard day's work, Teboho found herself doomscrolling through social media, unable to stop reading one alarming news headline after another."
News Snippet
"Instead of spending hours doomscrolling, try using your need for information to search for creative solutions or view the crises as opportunities for innovation where you can put your skills to positive use."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
Extra! Extra!
For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, how's it going?, watch the following…
Video Lesson One
Video Lesson Two
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Common Idioms and Expressions
Doom and gloom: A phrase used to describe a feeling or atmosphere of pessimism, despair, or negativity.
Example: "Despite the challenges, she refused to give in to all the doom and gloom and stayed optimistic."
Doomsday scenario: A worst-case situation or prediction of catastrophic events.
Example: "The scientist warned that climate change could lead to a doomsday scenario if no action is taken."
To scroll: The act of moving through content on a digital device, often on social media or news platforms.
Example: "I spent hours scrolling through my feed, catching up on all the latest posts."
Doomscroll: The act of compulsively scrolling through negative or anxiety-inducing news and content online.
Example: "After hearing about the crisis, he couldn't stop himself from doomscrolling through endless articles and tweets."
Prophet of doom: Someone who constantly predicts bad outcomes or disasters.
Example: "He's such a prophet of doom—always talking about how the economy is going to collapse."
Seal someone's doom: To cause someone's inevitable failure or downfall.
Example: "His careless mistakes sealed his doom in the final round of the competition."
Endless scroll: A feature of digital platforms that allows users to keep scrolling without reaching a clear endpoint, often leading to overuse.
Example: "The endless scroll on social media makes it so easy to lose track of time."
Digital doom: A term referring to the negative consequences of excessive technology use, such as anxiety or addiction.
Example: "Many experts warn about the risks of digital doom if we don't learn to balance our screen time."
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