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Apps to distract you from the endless cycle of doomscrolling
Doomscrolling can consume far more time than intended and may affect wellbeing, including sleep, mood and concentration. The article suggests replacing those scrolling sessions with phone apps that offer reading, self-care, creativity, radio or brain-training activities.
It cites a survey finding that 64% of Americans say they doomscroll. Suggested apps include Finch for self-care, Libby for library ebooks and audiobooks, Dudel Draw for daily drawing prompts, Radio Garden for more than 25,000 live stations, and Elevate, which offers cognitive games. The article text also begins describing a vocabulary app but cuts off before giving details.
In short
- 64% of Americans surveyed say they doomscroll.
- Apps offer alternatives such as reading, drawing and radio.
- Some options are free, while others have paid plans.
Explained simply
Doomscrolling is the habit of spending a long time scrolling through online posts and news, often without intending to. The term is commonly used when people keep looking at distressing or worrying material, though scrolling can also become a way to fill spare moments.
Phones offer many kinds of apps, including tools for reading, drawing, listening to radio and practising mental skills. Replacing some scrolling time with another activity may change how people use their phones, but its effects will vary from person to person.
The issue matters because time spent scrolling can affect sleep, mood and concentration. Surveys and proposed alternatives offer ways to discuss the habit, but they do not show that every user is affected in the same way.