Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through news headlines or social media posts, even though it’s making you feel worse? I know I have. That cycle of bad news and anxiety has a name it’s known as —doomscrolling. And while many of us are familiar with it, our children and teens are just as vulnerable… if not more.
In today’s digital world, young people can be exposed to a constant stream of worrying content—and harmful content—served up by clever algorithms designed to keep them engaged. But what starts as curiosity can quickly turn into a toxic habit that affects their mood, sleep, and overall mental health.
Let’s take a closer look at what doomscrolling is, why it happens, and—most importantly—what we as parents and caregivers can do to help.
Doomscrolling is the act of continuously scrolling through negative or distressing content online—often late into the night or during moments of stress or boredom. It’s driven by the way platforms work: they prioritise sensational or emotionally charged content to keep users engaged longer.
For young people, this can have serious consequences:
The problem is, most of this happens quietly. A child might be in their room, seemingly relaxed, while their brain is absorbing a constant stream of harmful content.
🎥 Pause here and take 2 minutes to watch our short video guide:
👉In the video, I break down how doomscrolling can impact children and share simple, practical tips you can use right away to support healthier online habits.
Here are a few simple strategies to help your child or teen scroll smarter:
🧠 Talk about how social media works
Help your child or teen understand that the content they see is curated—not a full or balanced picture of the world. Discuss how algorithms tend to show more of what we engage with, including negative news.
📵 Create screen-free moments
Introduce screen-free routines, dinner time and especially before bedtime. Late-night scrolling can trick your brain into staying alert when it should be winding down
❤️ Balance the feed
Encourage your child to follow positive, uplifting, or educational accounts. Help them build a digital space that supports their well-being.
👂 Be a safe place to talk
Check in often. Ask what they’re seeing online, how it makes them feel, and let them know it’s okay to step away when content becomes overwhelming.
We can’t control every headline or algorithm, but we can empower our children to navigate the online world with confidence, curiosity, and resilience.
By recognising doomscrolling and talking openly about its impact, we can help young people develop the digital habits they need to protect their mental health and feel more in control of their screen time.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay connected.
— Wayne and Team
Remember to share it with your family & friends.
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