Sitting for long hours at the desk? Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pushkar Chawla shares how to protect the back and spine Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:58:18 IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Poor posture at work can lead to problems with the back and the spine
A patient once told me that her blood sugar reading in the morning was higher than the one she had taken after dinner the night before. She hadn’t eaten a single thing. “How is this even possible?" she asked. “I haven’t had breakfast yet." That question comes up in my clinic almost every
Step inside the regal Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, where a one-night stay will cost you ₹4 lakh: Watch Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:37 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A look inside the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad
Every year at about this point in the rains, the same sequence plays out. Outpatient departments fill with feverish patients, a city announces a jump in confirmed cases, television rediscovers the phrase “swine flu," and within a fortnight the anxiety has moved on to something else
Onam gifting is often about more than simply handing over a box of sweets. The festival brings families and friends together, and a well-chosen hamper can combine traditional flavours with attractive packaging to make the occasion more special
‘Walking is one of the most underrated things’: Geriatric doctor says you don't need to join a gym to start exercising Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:52:55 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Read more to find out why walking is an underrated form of exercise! (Unsplash)
There are few things as satisfying as biting into a buttery, flaky almond croissant, especially when you get that rich almond flavour, creamy frangipane filling and slightly crisp, toasted edges in every bite. But when a croissant craving hits and you don’t have a bakery run planned—or all the
Erling Haaland debuts new buzz haircut after chopping his iconic blonde locks: ‘+999 missed calls from shampoo company’ Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 08:58:32 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Erling Haaland debuts a fresh, new buzz cut
From Doomscrolling To Bloomscrolling, How This Social Media Platform's New Badges Aim To Cut Your Scrolling Time
From Doomscrolling To Bloomscrolling, How This Social Media Platform's New Badges Aim To Cut Your Scrolling Time
The era of doomscrolling – endlessly consuming distressing news and negative content is taking a major turn. A new trend, also referred to as ‘Bloomscrolling,' is emerging, encouraging users to deliberately scroll through uplifting, educational, or creatively enriching content instead of spiralling into anxiety.
As conversations around digital wellbeing grow louder, digital platforms like TikTok are beginning to recognise the long-term impact of doomscrolling on mental health. The company has rolled out new tools and behavioural nudges aimed at slowing endless scrolling, moderating late-night screen habits, and promoting healthier, more mindful consumption.
A Shift Toward Bloomscrolling
As doomscrolling's toll becomes recognised more widely, this counter-trend is gaining momentum. Digital wellness specialists note that repeated exposure to positive stimuli triggers dopamine release linked to curiosity and motivation. This encourages healthier browsing patterns and counters the stress response activated by negative news.
Many argue that algorithmic systems respond to user behaviour; when individuals consistently engage with positive content, digital environments slowly shift in that direction. Over time, this creates feeds that promote resilience rather than anxiety.
Doomscrolling: The Habit Reshaping Urban Nightlife and Mental Health
Late-night screens glow across modern Indian cities, with faces illuminated by screens, feeding a steady stream of algorithms loaded with topics like conflicts, anxiety, and communal outrage. This behaviour has a name – doomscrolling. The term that surged into public consciousness during the Covid-19 pandemic has become a cultural shorthand for an era defined by digital exhaustion.
What began as an instinct to stay informed has transformed for many into a ritual. A 2024 Harvard Health Publishing study noted that doomscrolling, once tied primarily to pandemic anxiety, has evolved into an “insidious threat" to mental and physical health amid continuing global unrest. The phenomenon now shapes daily routines, sleep patterns, and even the brain's reward pathways.
TikTok – the ecosystem that popularised the infinite scroll for a new generation- is now introducing digital well-being tools aimed at encouraging healthier habits. Teen users can expect affirmation journals, calming soundscapes, breathing modules, sleep-hour prompts, and, most intriguingly, badges awarded for limiting app usage are among the features being rolled out.
The ‘time and well-being features' underscore the app's commitment to fostering a balanced online experience. With more than 120 affirmation cards or positive prompts, the redesigned screen-time management page includes a sound generator offering a calming audio guided by breathing exercises.
Notably, TikTok is introducing badges — digital rewards granted to users who adhere to screen-time limits, avoid the app during designated sleep hours, or complete meditation exercises. To frame restrictions as achievements rather than prohibitions, the app is turning healthy habits into what it calls “well-being missions."
But beneath these interventions lies a larger question: why has doomscrolling become so addictive, particularly for today's youth?
The Psychology Of Doomscrolling
According to the Cleveland Clinic, doomscrolling is the behaviour of consuming large amounts of negative news, often in an attempt to manage anxiety or gain a sense of control. The clinic also notes that while many individuals justify this behaviour as an effort to stay informed and updated, there is “something deeper at play," involving the brain's tendency to confirm negative feelings by seeking information that reinforces them.
The addictive pull of doomscrolling is rooted deeply in neuroscience. Harvard Health Publishing's September 2024 feature on doomscrolling emphasised that the behaviour is tied to the brain's limbic system — particularly the amygdala, which manages fight-or-flight responses. “With constant global tension, the amygdala becomes hyper-vigilant, driving individuals to scan for threats in a digital environment where crises appear in near-real time."
Dr Aditi Nerurkar of Harvard Medical School described doomscrolling as a modern response to chronic, unrelenting stress. The brain, designed to handle brief bursts of threat, is now confronted with an unending stream of alarming content. The result is a persistent state of hyper-arousal that fuels further scrolling.
Harvard highlights two particularly vulnerable groups: women and individuals with trauma histories. Dr Richard Mollica, director of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, explained that women are disproportionately affected because much of the violent media involves harm to women or children.
Meanwhile, trauma survivors may doomscroll as a coping mechanism to monitor potential danger, though the behaviour frequently acts as a trigger instead.
How Does Doomscrolling Rewire The Brain?
Beyond emotional consequences, doomscrolling has physiological and neurological effects. Harvard researchers highlighted consequences such as elevated blood pressure, headaches, sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, muscle tension, and heightened existential anxiety.
A review published in Applied Research in Quality of Life in April 2023, analysing three studies involving more than 1,200 adults, linked doomscrolling to decreased life satisfaction and poorer mental well-being. Meanwhile, a 2024 study in Computers in Human Behaviour Reports involving 800 adults found that doomscrolling triggers higher levels of existential anxiety — a sense of dread related to the limits and inevitabilities of human existence.
A separate April 2024 report in Computers in Human Behaviour showed that employees who doomscroll during work hours demonstrate reduced professional engagement.
Dr Nerukar says, “Doomscrolling can give us ‘popcorn brain,' which happens when we spend too much time online. “It's the real, biological phenomenon of feeling your brain is popping because you're being overstimulated online," she explains. “Then it's hard to engage with the real world, which moves at a much slower pace."
Young People And The Digital Pull
Studies consistently highlight that younger generations are particularly vulnerable to doomscrolling due to a combination of developmental, social and digital environmental factors. A study in Personality and Individual Differences revealed that individuals with higher anxiety levels are more prone to uncertainty intolerance, which increases the urge to consume negative information.
For Gen Z, several dynamics include:
The Digital Consequences
“Doomscrolling disrupts the sleeping patterns, particularly when negative news is consumed before bed," according to the Cleveland Clinic. In one study, 70% of participants acknowledged checking social media while in bed, with increased difficulty falling asleep among those who spent more time doing so. Doomscrolling can also contribute to “crazymaking," a term used to describe the disorientation caused by conflicting information from different media sources.
Will TikTok's Badges Make A Difference?
Swipe Left For Next Video
TikTok's new well-being feature indicates that doomscrolling is not just a bad habit but a widespread behavioural concern which should be addressed. By introducing badges and missions rather than imposing strict limits, the platform aims to shift the psychology of digital self-control. By rewarding users for healthier choices, the step is believed to help normalise balanced digital habits.
Doomscrolling emerged from a moment of global crisis, but its grip has lingered beyond the pandemic. TikTok's new well-being features – badges, breathing tools, affirmations journals and sound generators signal an important shift. Between doom and bloom, the generation is trying to renegotiate its relationship with the endless scroll — one badge, one boundary, and one conscious swipe at a time.
A Shift Toward Bloomscrolling
As doomscrolling's toll becomes recognised more widely, this counter-trend is gaining momentum. Digital wellness specialists note that repeated exposure to positive stimuli triggers dopamine release linked to curiosity and motivation. This encourages healthier browsing patterns and counters the stress response activated by negative news.
Many argue that algorithmic systems respond to user behaviour; when individuals consistently engage with positive content, digital environments slowly shift in that direction. Over time, this creates feeds that promote resilience rather than anxiety.
Doomscrolling: The Habit Reshaping Urban Nightlife and Mental Health
Late-night screens glow across modern Indian cities, with faces illuminated by screens, feeding a steady stream of algorithms loaded with topics like conflicts, anxiety, and communal outrage. This behaviour has a name – doomscrolling. The term that surged into public consciousness during the Covid-19 pandemic has become a cultural shorthand for an era defined by digital exhaustion.
What began as an instinct to stay informed has transformed for many into a ritual. A 2024 Harvard Health Publishing study noted that doomscrolling, once tied primarily to pandemic anxiety, has evolved into an “insidious threat” to mental and physical health amid continuing global unrest. The phenomenon now shapes daily routines, sleep patterns, and even the brain's reward pathways.
TikTok – the ecosystem that popularised the infinite scroll for a new generation- is now introducing digital well-being tools aimed at encouraging healthier habits. Teen users can expect affirmation journals, calming soundscapes, breathing modules, sleep-hour prompts, and, most intriguingly, badges awarded for limiting app usage are among the features being rolled out.
The ‘time and well-being features' underscore the app's commitment to fostering a balanced online experience. With more than 120 affirmation cards or positive prompts, the redesigned screen-time management page includes a sound generator offering a calming audio guided by breathing exercises.
Notably, TikTok is introducing badges — digital rewards granted to users who adhere to screen-time limits, avoid the app during designated sleep hours, or complete meditation exercises. To frame restrictions as achievements rather than prohibitions, the app is turning healthy habits into what it calls “well-being missions.”
But beneath these interventions lies a larger question: why has doomscrolling become so addictive, particularly for today's youth?
The Psychology Of Doomscrolling
According to the Cleveland Clinic, doomscrolling is the behaviour of consuming large amounts of negative news, often in an attempt to manage anxiety or gain a sense of control. The clinic also notes that while many individuals justify this behaviour as an effort to stay informed and updated, there is “something deeper at play,” involving the brain's tendency to confirm negative feelings by seeking information that reinforces them.
The addictive pull of doomscrolling is rooted deeply in neuroscience. Harvard Health Publishing's September 2024 feature on doomscrolling emphasised that the behaviour is tied to the brain's limbic system — particularly the amygdala, which manages fight-or-flight responses. “With constant global tension, the amygdala becomes hyper-vigilant, driving individuals to scan for threats in a digital environment where crises appear in near-real time.”
Dr Aditi Nerurkar of Harvard Medical School described doomscrolling as a modern response to chronic, unrelenting stress. The brain, designed to handle brief bursts of threat, is now confronted with an unending stream of alarming content. The result is a persistent state of hyper-arousal that fuels further scrolling.
Harvard highlights two particularly vulnerable groups: women and individuals with trauma histories. Dr Richard Mollica, director of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, explained that women are disproportionately affected because much of the violent media involves harm to women or children.
Meanwhile, trauma survivors may doomscroll as a coping mechanism to monitor potential danger, though the behaviour frequently acts as a trigger instead.
How Does Doomscrolling Rewire The Brain?
Beyond emotional consequences, doomscrolling has physiological and neurological effects. Harvard researchers highlighted consequences such as elevated blood pressure, headaches, sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, muscle tension, and heightened existential anxiety.
A review published in Applied Research in Quality of Life in April 2023, analysing three studies involving more than 1,200 adults, linked doomscrolling to decreased life satisfaction and poorer mental well-being. Meanwhile, a 2024 study in Computers in Human Behaviour Reports involving 800 adults found that doomscrolling triggers higher levels of existential anxiety — a sense of dread related to the limits and inevitabilities of human existence.
A separate April 2024 report in Computers in Human Behaviour showed that employees who doomscroll during work hours demonstrate reduced professional engagement.
Dr Nerukar says, “Doomscrolling can give us ‘popcorn brain,' which happens when we spend too much time online. “It's the real, biological phenomenon of feeling your brain is popping because you're being overstimulated online,” she explains. “Then it's hard to engage with the real world, which moves at a much slower pace.”
Young People And The Digital Pull
Studies consistently highlight that younger generations are particularly vulnerable to doomscrolling due to a combination of developmental, social and digital environmental factors. A study in Personality and Individual Differences revealed that individuals with higher anxiety levels are more prone to uncertainty intolerance, which increases the urge to consume negative information.
For Gen Z, several dynamics include:
The Digital Consequences
“Doomscrolling disrupts the sleeping patterns, particularly when negative news is consumed before bed,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. In one study, 70% of participants acknowledged checking social media while in bed, with increased difficulty falling asleep among those who spent more time doing so. Doomscrolling can also contribute to “crazymaking,” a term used to describe the disorientation caused by conflicting information from different media sources.
Will TikTok's Badges Make A Difference?
TikTok's new well-being feature indicates that doomscrolling is not just a bad habit but a widespread behavioural concern which should be addressed. By introducing badges and missions rather than imposing strict limits, the platform aims to shift the psychology of digital self-control. By rewarding users for healthier choices, the step is believed to help normalise balanced digital habits.
Doomscrolling emerged from a moment of global crisis, but its grip has lingered beyond the pandemic. TikTok's new well-being features – badges, breathing tools, affirmations journals and sound generators signal an important shift. Between doom and bloom, the generation is trying to renegotiate its relationship with the endless scroll — one badge, one boundary, and one conscious swipe at a time.
Scan the QR code to download the News18 app and enjoy a seamless news experience anytime, anywhere.
Source: News18
Related Posts: doomscrolling, digital well-being, TikTok screen time, mental health, social media addiction, bloomscrolling, anxiety and technology, sleep disruption
Parents should check medicine labels carefully before giving cough or cold remedies to young children. The Union Health Ministry has restricted all fixed-dose combination medicines containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride from being used in children below four years of
12 hours ago
Tandoori chicken should be smoky and seared on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside. But it can often turn out dry, rubbery and lacking flavour, even when you’ve used all the right spices. The problem may not be the recipe itself, but a few small mistakes during preparation and cooking
1 days ago
Want to know how healthy your heart is? Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj lists 9 blood tests for ‘cardiovascular risk’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:34:50 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dr. Bhojraj highlights nine blood tests to assess cardiovascular health
1 days ago
We tend to think of constipation as a plumbing problem: eat more fibre, drink more water, take isabgol and wait for things to move. For occasional constipation, that approach can be perfectly reasonable. But when constipation keeps returning despite these measures
1 days ago
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, but its biggest known cause is persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which is closely linked to sexual transmission. While HPV itself is not caused by men
1 days ago
Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026: An obstacle does not necessarily mean you are on the wrong path Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:49:03 IST By Kishori Sud Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026 (Pinterest) Daily Chakra Horoscope, August 23
1 days ago
Dahi vade may not be the first dish that comes to mind when planning a Sawan Somwar vrat menu, but Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s fasting-friendly version gives the classic snack a clever twist. Instead of lentils, these vade are made with cooked barnyard millet, also known as sama or samak
1 days ago
59-year-old grandmother and Roadies 20 contestant Ashu Jain shares 5 hacks that helped her 'build gym habits that stick’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 10:12:34 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ashu Jain is not just a grandmother — she's a 'hybrid athlete'
1 days ago
Could artificial intelligence compress decades of medical progress into just a few years? Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei believes advanced AI systems may soon transform how we fight cancer, Alzheimer’s and other major diseases. Amodei has predicted that AI-enabled biology could compress 50 to 100
1 days ago
Look out of an aircraft window as it descends into Chennai and the coastline is the first thing that catches your eye. A long blue-grey edge against the city, with the sea on one side and the sprawling city on the other. From up there, it looks permanent
1 days ago
Soha Ali Khan, along with her husband Kunal Khemu, is known for setting couple goals through their fitness content. The couple have consistently shared videos showing their workouts in the gym, how they parent their kids together, the healthy food they eat without compromising on taste
1 days ago
As Onam 2026 approaches, here is our curated guide from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru covering everything from elaborate restaurant thalis to convenient takeaway sadya boxes. We consult chefs on how they are reimagining the traditional sadya; we ask celebrities how
1 days ago
Raksha Bandhan is all about celebrating the special bond between siblings. This year, show your siblings how much you mean to them and make the occasion sweeter by making everyone’s favourite kalakand at home. If you are looking for a festive dessert that is indulgent yet skips refined sugar
1 days ago
Thirty-nine-year-old Shivendra came in with what looked like an ordinary monsoon fever. Fifteen days later, he was still in hospital, only being discharged now after being diagnosed with H1N1-related pneumonia. His wife, Poonam, said the family did not take the fever seriously at first. “Actually
1 days ago
Postpartum pain is NOT just ‘normal’: Physiotherapist Muskan Rastogi reveals all about pelvic floor recovery Postpartum recovery involves more than just pain management; it includes pelvic floor rehabilitation to restore strength and reduce discomfort for new mothers. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug has been arrested in the US state of Texas on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and illegal possession of a firearm. Allen County Police confirmed to BBC Newsbeat the 28-year-old, whose real name is Xavier Landum, was stopped on Friday
1 days ago
44-year-old fitness coach shares simple exercises that help her look ‘15 years younger’ Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 13:24:38 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Fitness coach shares 4 simple exercises to improve posture and look more youthful. (Instagram/@sascha
2 days ago
The Madhya Pradesh Health Department has ordered a high-level medical and legal investigation after a 6 woman from Ujjain died following treatment at a private hospital in Indore. She had tested positive for H1N1 influenza, commonly called swine flu
2 days ago
No food after 6 pm to boxing: Inside Dua Lipa’s fitness routine and fasting rules for toned body on her 31st birthday Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 14:11:05 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dua Lipa turned 31 on August 22, 2026
2 days ago
The DJ dropped the beat and 70 women started throwing punches. By the time the first kickboxing combination was called out, Moon Bar, a Visakhapatnam club had shed its weekend persona to turn into a makeshift fitness floor, with women punching, kicking
2 days ago
A couple of years ago, when Osman Abdul Razak was being fitted for a suit by Yuki Igarashi, founder of Japan-based menswear brand Lecteur, he recalls being struck by how neatly Yuki’s pins were arranged on his pin cushion. “As an onlooker there, I couldn’t help but analyse this precision
2 days ago
Baro Market is coming to Chennai with a pop-up bringing together fashion, craft, art, accessories and lifestyle products, with a focus on conscious living and handcrafted design. Curated by Srila Chatterjee, the showcase marks her third pop-up in the city
2 days ago
Step inside ₹200 crore royal residence in Hyderabad: Shaped like a scorpion and home to 'world's longest dining table' Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 10:22:41 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link The palace in the shape of a scorpion: Here's a virtual tour of the magnificent
2 days ago
On Fourth Trust Link Street at Santhome in Mylapore, a piece of vacant land cheek by jowl with a Greater Chennai Corporation-run middle school was being armtwisted every day into functioning as a garbage dumping spot by residents and passersby
2 days ago
The rise in H1N1 cases across Delhi-NCR is prompting fresh concern among doctors as some patients develop severe breathing difficulties and falling oxygen levels. While swine flu often causes flu-like symptoms, it can sometimes progress to serious respiratory complications
2 days ago
Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: Telugu cinema icon Chiranjeevi has spent more than four decades building one of Indian cinema’s most enduring careers. From his breakthrough years to becoming the industry’s celebrated Megastar, the actor has continued taking on demanding roles that require energy
2 days ago
Have high cholesterol? Nutritionist lists 9 heart-friendly cooking oil options Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 11:00:04 IST By Aayushi Gupta Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Cooking oils that may help manage cholesterol and support heart health
2 days ago
