Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Professor Advises Containing Doomscrolling to Protect Workplace Productivity
Doomscrolling means repeatedly looking at upsetting or interesting news online.
Dr. Hughes says some people find this habit hard to stop.
For some people, it can even feel soothing.
He does not simply recommend never checking a phone.
Instead, he suggests choosing one physical place where doomscrolling is allowed.
This can help keep it away from work and other responsibilities.
The idea may reduce interruptions, but it will not make the habit disappear.
Experts think doomscrolling could become more common because social media is becoming easier to access.
Dr. Hughes says doomscrolling can be difficult to resist and oddly soothing for some people.
He recommends limiting doomscrolling to one designated physical location.
The suggested boundary separates information consumption from professional responsibilities.
The approach is intended to contain doomscrolling, not eliminate it completely.
Experts say easier social-media access could make doomscrolling more common over time.
- Who
- Dr. Hughes and other experts discussing doomscrolling.
- What
- A recommendation to limit doomscrolling to one physical location to protect productivity.
- When
- No specific date or timeframe is stated.
- Where
- In people's daily lives and workplaces.
- Why
- To create a boundary between consuming information and handling professional responsibilities.
- Recommended approach
- Contain doomscrolling to one designated physical location.
- Reason for recommendation
- Some people find doomscrolling difficult to resist and oddly soothing.
- Workplace benefit
- The boundary can separate information consumption from professional responsibilities.
- Expected outcome
- The strategy may contain the behavior but is not expected to eliminate it.
- Expert outlook
- Experts do not think doomscrolling will go away.
- Potential trend
- The behavior could worsen as social-media access becomes easier and more widespread.
- Broader effect
- Social media connects people to events in communities that may not be physically nearby.