What does research say about its effects?

Research on doomscrolling is still new, and much of it measures associations rather than proving cause and effect. That means we cannot say doomscrolling causes these problems. People who are already stressed may also scroll more.

1. Wellbeing. A research paper in Applied Research in Quality of Life combined three studies (378, 419, and 460 adults). It found doomscrolling linked to personality traits, social media addiction, and fear of missing out. It also found that its link with well-being, including life satisfaction, ran through psychological distress. Harvard Health reports that this work suggests doomscrolling is tied to worse mental well-being and life satisfaction.
2. Existential anxiety. Harvard Health also cites a 2024 study of 800 adults suggesting doomscrolling is linked to higher existential anxiety, a sense of dread about the limits of our existence.
3. Work. A 2024 study cited by Harvard Health suggests employees who doomscroll at work may be less engaged in their tasks.
4. General mood. Medical News Today says research indicates doomscrolling may raise stress, anxiety and depression.

• A meta-analysis of 44 studies (Frontiers in Psychology, September 2026). The researchers pooled results from 21 studies (23 samples) and found doomscrolling linked to more anxiety (correlation r = 0.35), more depression (0.35) and more psychological distress (0.51). It was also linked to lower psychological well-being (-0.29) and lower life satisfaction (-0.25). A correlation of 0 means no link and 1 means a perfect link.
• But confidence in those results is low. The authors rated the certainty of evidence as very low for all five outcomes. Most studies were one-time surveys, results varied widely between studies, and other factors may explain the links. Four of the five studies on psychological distress came from Türkiye. The authors state that the evidence does not establish causality.
• A scoping review of 17 studies (Mental Health and Digital Technologies, 2026). It describes doomscrolling as a habitual, compulsive behaviour reinforced by design features such as infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven content. It points to rumination, emotional exhaustion and difficulty tolerating uncertainty as likely explanations and found consistent links with anxiety, depression, stress and lower resilience, mostly in cross-sectional studies.
• Cause and effect may run both ways. The scoping review’s authors note that people who are already anxious or who struggle with uncertainty, may be more prone to doomscrolling, rather than doomscrolling creating those traits.
• Few tests of solutions. The scoping review found only one experiment, on a “kindness-scrolling” approach, and it showed only short-term mood benefits.

Signs it may be affecting you

An expert lists headaches, muscle tension, neck and shoulder pain, low appetite, difficulty sleeping, nausea, and elevated blood pressure as possible physical effects. Long hours of scrolling also mean long hours of sitting. Some advises checking in with your body as you scroll and noticing headaches, muscle tension or simply feeling unwell.

These symptoms have many possible causes, so they are not proof of doomscrolling. Ask yourself instead:

• Do I keep scrolling even though I want to stop?
• Do I feel worse, not better informed, afterwards?
• Is it cutting into my sleep, work, or time with people?

If you answer yes to several, the steps below may help.

How to stop doomscrolling: 8 practical steps

When to get help

Harvard experts say a small percentage of people need professional help, and the best place to start is your primary care doctor. See someone if you cannot stop, or if scrolling leaves you extremely upset. Some note that for people, endless scrolling can be linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, which usually needs more structured therapy.

If you are in India and want to talk to someone, the government’s Tele-MANAS helpline offers free, 24-hour support in multiple languages on 14416 (or 1-800-891-4416). If you ever feel you may harm yourself, contact local emergency services right away.

Key takeaways

• Doomscrolling is excessive scrolling of upsetting content, and it is driven partly by stress and a wish to feel safe.
• Research links it to worse well-being and anxiety but mostly shows associations, not cause and effect.
• Small boundaries, such as keeping your phone out of reach at night and turning off alerts, are the best-supported starting point.
• If you cannot stop or it leaves you distressed, talk to your doctor or a helpline.

Sources

1. Harvard Health Publishing, “Doomscrolling dangers” (1 September 2024): https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/doomscrolling-dangers
2. Satici SA, et al. Doomscrolling Scale: its association with personality traits, psychological distress, social media use, and well-being. Applied Research in Quality of Life. 2023;18(2):833-847. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9580444/
3. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, “Everything You Need to Know About Doomscrolling and How to Avoid It”: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-doomscrolling-and-how-to-avoid-it
4. Cleveland Clinic Newsroom, “Why you should avoid doomscrolling” (24 October 2025): https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2025/10/24/why-you-should-avoid-doomscrolling
5. Medical News Today, “Doomscrolling: Definition, health effects, and more” (19 May 2025): https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/doomscrolling
6. Merriam-Webster, “Doomscroll”: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doomscroll
7. UVA Today, “What Is Doomscrolling? Why Do We Do It, and How Can We Stop?” (18 April 2021): https://news.virginia.edu
8. Wikipedia, “Doomscrolling”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomscrolling
9. Tele-MANAS, Government of India (helpline details): https://jipmer.edu.in/Tele-MANAS
10. Li Q, Yin X. Doomscrolling, mental health, and psychological well-being in adolescents and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. 2026;17:1893800. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13630949/
11. Sharpe ATR, et al. The influence of doomscrolling on mental health: a scoping review. Mental Health and Digital Technologies. 2026;3(3):290-342. https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8522/

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

— Dr. Rajnandini Dubey
MPT (Sports Physiotherapy)
Assistant Professor | Physiotherapist | Academic & Medical Writer

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