Tech Translator
Doomscrolling
Teen slang, explained for parents.
What it means
Scrolling through bad news or upsetting content over and over, even though it makes you feel worse, and it is common in all ages because the algorithm feeds you more of what holds your attention, and bad news holds attention.
How to bring it up with your kid
"Have you ever caught yourself doomscrolling, and what were you looking at? I do it too sometimes, and what helps you stop?" Normalizing the experience without judgment opens better conversation than lecturing.