Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M1225

Doomscrolling

Doomscrolling
TechnicalHigh supportPhysics
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The compulsive and continuous scrolling and browsing of negative news (disasters, epidemics, panic wars), which even if it makes one depressed and anxious, one cannot consciously stop.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Doomscrolling is the act of spending an excessive amount of time on digital content (e.g. short-form content, user-generated content, AI-generated content, and news) that elicit negative emotions. The concept was coined around 2018, and became more widespread in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.…

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Refers to the uncontrolled scrolling of negative/disaster news late at night, the more you scroll the more anxious you become yet cannot stop. The mechanism is the superposition of negativity bias and infinite information flow.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DoomscrollingZH · Explicit
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