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The algorithm trap: How AI fuels endless doom scrolling
Is doom scrolling rewiring a generation?
Doom scrolling the endless habit of consuming negative news and social media content is fast becoming one of the biggest tech-driven behavioral concerns of the digital age. What began as a harmless swipe through headlines has evolved into a compulsive loop powered by sophisticated algorithms designed to maximize engagement.
Experts say platforms use AI-driven recommendation systems that quickly learn which posts trigger emotional reactions especially fear, outrage, or anxiety. The more intense the reaction, the longer users stay. And the longer they stay, the more data platforms collect. It’s a cycle engineered for attention.
Recent studies suggest excessive doom scrolling can increase stress levels, disrupt sleep patterns, and even impact concentration. Tech companies have introduced features like screen-time reminders, “take a break” prompts, and content filters but critics argue these tools barely scratch the surface of a much deeper design strategy.
As Gen Z and millennials spend record hours online, digital wellness is becoming a competitive battleground. The question now isn’t whether doom scrolling is harmful it’s whether the tech industry is willing to redesign the very systems that made it profitable in the first place.