What Does ‘Doomscrolling’ Mean?
Doomscrolling is the habit of continuing to scroll through bad news or upsetting posts, even though it makes you feel worse.
Internet & memes noun / verb
Examples of ‘Doomscrolling’ in a sentence
- “I was doomscrolling until 2am.”
- “Stop doomscrolling and go to bed.”
Where does ‘Doomscrolling’ come from?
Popularised around 2020 during the pandemic and widely covered by news outlets; Wikipedia has an overview.
How to use it, and when not to
Use it to name the habit. Setting a time limit helps.
For parents and teachers
Fine around parents and teachers. Safe, and adults use it too.
Related slang
Frequently asked questions
What does Doomscrolling mean?
Doomscrolling is the habit of continuing to scroll through bad news or upsetting posts, even though it makes you feel worse.
Where does Doomscrolling come from?
Popularised around 2020 during the pandemic and widely covered by news outlets; Wikipedia has an overview.
Is Doomscrolling OK to say around parents or teachers?
Fine around parents and teachers. Safe, and adults use it too.
How do you use Doomscrolling in a sentence?
I was doomscrolling until 2am. Stop doomscrolling and go to bed.
More internet & memes slang
67, Aura farming, Bet, Brainrot, Cap, Chronically online. Or browse the full A–Z / try the Slang Translator.
Sources
Definition written by VibeDex. Slang changes quickly, so this is a snapshot. Last reviewed 2026-10-23.