Practical guide
How to stop doomscrolling without tuning out
Replace the endless feed with a stopping rule. Choose responsible sources, schedule one or two check-ins, read changed facts once, and preserve urgent official alerts outside the general news habit.[1][2]
Why this gets difficult
Doomscrolling is reinforced by an endless stream, repeated distressing updates, and the belief that the next refresh may finally provide certainty or control.[1][2]
A practical way through
- Turn off nonessential breaking-news and social notifications.[1][2]
- Choose a time-limited update window and a small set of sources.[1][2]
- Stop after the rundown and the few developments that materially changed.[1][2]
- Leave the news environment for a planned action, conversation, or ordinary activity.[1][2]
An example
The situation: A reader refreshes several feeds during a crisis and sees the same unconfirmed images and reactions for hours.[1][2]
What changes: Official safety information and original reporting are checked at set times; repeated reaction and unverified reposts are removed.[1][2]
What you get: The reader remains aware of real changes without using continuous exposure as a substitute for certainty.[1][2]
What to watch for
Sources worth keeping
How Scottie helps
Scottie can consolidate chosen sources into one scheduled brief and show what it read, reducing the pressure to refresh several feeds for reassurance.[3]