What can be done to stop doomscrolling? Tips to avoid brain rot

Addictive phone behaviour is already a hot topic with the UK Government, as MPs have warned that children are “doomscrolling” for hours on end on smartphones.

In February, schools in England were given guidance under the former Conservative government intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day, but it is currently non-statutory.

But what is doom scrolling and why is it so damaging? Here is all we know.

Doomscrolling, also known as doomsurfing, is the act of spending excessive amounts of time online. This can be consuming news or surfing social media and often means an excessive consumption of things which are negative, or which cause the person to think negatively.

Doomscrolling can also be defined as the excessive consumption of short-form videos or social media content for an excessive period of time without stopping, and not giving your brain a break.

Andrew Przybylski, a psychologist and professor at Oxford University, has told the BBC that it is a “symptom of the time we’re living in”.

Oxford University Press has added that the term has taken on a new significance in the past 12 months, “particularly on TikTok among Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities”.

Its definition reads: “In 2024, ‘brain rot’ is used to describe both the cause and effect of this, referring to low-quality, low-value content found on social media and the internet, as well as the subsequent negative impact that consuming this type of content is perceived to have on an individual or society.”

Experts say there are a range of things we can do to keep our brains functioning healthily.

Eating a healthy and varied diet including proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates and fruits and vegetables will ensure your brain is getting all of the required fuel to operate fully.

As well as food, we also need to be moving our bodies.

Blood flow is the best medicine to remain happy and healthy. Regular exercise and movement amp up blood flow to the brain and have even been shown to slow the onset of memory loss and dementia.

Other tips from experts also include getting optimal sleep, avoiding screens before bedtime and trying to think positively even when things seem to be going wrong.

One way to do this is to practice mindfulness. Meditation, journalling and conscious deep breathing are all ways you can force your body and brain to slow down.

“Try to practise meditation regularly, too — it doesn’t even have to be for long. This can enhance mental clarity and calmness, improve attention, and lower anxiety.”