1: 10 year old girl
Lives in Geneva, Switzerland. Uses a tablet freely and spends a lot of time on it.
Have you heard the term “doomscrolling” before?
No, not before you explained.
What does it mean to you?
I think it means when you keep scrolling and scrolling and don’t stop.
How often do you find yourself scrolling through negative or distressing content?
I think almost every day, because sometimes videos just come up even if I don’t search for them.
What kinds of content do you tend to doomscroll?
Short videos on YouTube Shorts, my mom won’t let me have Tiktok. Sometimes it’s videos about war or animals getting hurt. And people being mean in comments.
What do yu think usually makes you doomscroll?
When I’m bored. Like when my alone and my friends are busy.
Are there certain situations or moods that make you doomscroll more or less?
At night before bed I do it more because i dont want to sleep. Also when I feel lonely or when I’m not allowed to go outside.
How do you usually feel while you’re doomscrolling?
Kind of “icky”, curious but also scared. Sometimes my stomach feels weird, but I still keep watching.
How do you feel when you stop?
A little sad. Sometimes I think about it when I try to sleep.
Do you feel like doomscrolling serves a purpose for you in the moment?
Maybe, i dont really know.
Have you ever tried to stop doomscrolling?
Not really. Sometimes my parents take the tablet away because i spend too much time on it.
What usually pulls you out of a doomscrolling session?
When my parents tell me to stop, when the battery dies, or when I get really tired and fall asleep.
Looking back, how do you think doomscrolling affects your mental health or daily life?
I think it makes me more scared about the world. Sometimes I worry about things that probably won’t happen to me
2: 25 year old woman
Management student from Trondheim Norway that enjoys spending time outdoors. Has a very old phone that barely works.
Have you heard the term “doomscrolling” before?
Yes, I’ve heard it, mostly from friends or social media discussions.
What does it mean to you?
Endlessly scrolling through negative news even though it makes you feel worse.
How often do you find yourself doomscrolling?
Rarely. Maybe twise a week.
What kinds of content do you tend to doomscroll?
Mostly big news events like climate change, wars, or political issues.
What usually triggers you to start doomscrolling?
Major events. If something big happens, I might check updates repeatedly.
Are there certain situations or moods that make you doomscroll more or less?
When I’m stressed or stuck indoors for a long time, I’m more likely to do it.
How do you usually feel while you’re doomscrolling?
Overwhelmed and frustrated.
How do you feel when you stop?
Relieved. I usually feel better once I put the phone away and go do something else.
Do you feel like doomscrolling serves a purpose for you?
Only in the sense that I want to stay informed.
Have you ever tried to stop or reduce your doomscrolling?
Yes. I consciously limit news and social media intake and rely more on summaries.
What usually pulls you out of a doomscrolling session?
My phone freezing, going for a walk, or realizing that i have spent way to much time on it.
Looking back, how do you think doomscrolling affects your life?
I think it affects me less than others because i do it so little, but when it happens, it definitely increases stress and frustration.
3: 22 year old man
From Trondheim Norway, currently unemployed, enjoys reading and watching gaming streams on YouTube.
Have you heard the term “doomscrolling” before?
Yes, I know the term pretty well.
What does it mean to you?
Getting stuck consuming negative content, even when it ruins your mood.
How often do you find yourself doomscrolling?
Probably every day or a few times a week at least.
What kinds of content do you tend to doomscroll?
Comment sections, gaming drama, news about the economy, politics, and sometimes world news.
What usually triggers you to start doomscrolling?
Im unemployed at the moment so having too much free time and feeling unmotivated.
Are there certain situations or moods that make you doomscroll more?
When I feel stuck or anxious about the future.
How do you usually feel while doomscrolling?
Detached at first, then slowly more pessimistic i guess.
How do you feel when you stop?
Drained and guilty. Like I wasted time.
Do you feel like doomscrolling serves a purpose?
In the moment it distracts me from stress, even though it replaces it with a different kind.
Have you ever tried to stop or reduce it?
I’ve tried setting time limits, but I only ignore them.
What usually pulls you out of a doomscrolling session?
A lot of the time hunger, fatigue, or sometimes i manage ro switch to a game or book.
Looking back, how does doomscrolling affect your life?
It makes me feel more stuck and less motivated to change my situation.
