Marionette of the Algorithms: Screentime of Doom and Despair

By Joanna Kim

Doomscrolling, a contagious habit urging ones to mindlessly scroll, has become increasingly common in the busy day-to-day lives of the younger generation.

The reasons behind the phenomenon relate to algorithms and the brain, according to Ms. Kaitlin Resler, Associate Director of Content Marketing. Though algorithms differ on each platform, all are designed to “give preferential treatment to anything that keeps you on the platform itself,” she said. The primary focus is to display and highlight content that will keep people scrolling.

Behind pushing out interesting content, Ms. Samantha Evans, Science Instructor with expertise in biology and neuroscience, pointed out that algorithms rely on psychological tendencies to continue the addiction. Dopamine, a chemical that the brain releases for the feeling of happiness, rises when users hit a video they like. “[The brain is] set up to motivate us to do things that are going to be good for us [or that are perceived as good],” she added. Often, users are irresistibly drawn to the algorithms, chasing after dopamine generated from the doomscrolling content.

“I think that doomscrolling has been a significant challenge for people,” said Catherine Chen ’26. It is quite difficult to break free from the habit. It is also a common experience among students at the school.

“On a practical level, the more time we spend doomscrolling, the less time we have for activities that are actually more satisfying and healthy for us in the long run,” said Ms. Evans.

Nonetheless, there are ways to stop or prevent doomscrolling. A key suggestion is “to be actively engaged with what you consume online and edit… [know] how your time is being spent, what you’re absorbing,” said Ms. Resler. The simple act of being conscious in the middle of the mindless scrolling can pause the cycle.

Easier said than done, but cutting down time on doomscrolling could make more time for things that are truly nourishing and meaningful.

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