Startups And Apps Helping You Manage “Doomscrolling”

Doomscrolling has shown serious long-term and short-term effects, as studies by Flinders University. The study shows that doomscrolling can present in the same way PTSD would, with the term “media-induced PTSD” being coined.

This is because, naturally, when the brain is constantly absorbing traumatic content, it’ll start to react as if you’re really witnessing the imagery. With socials giving the world access to every part of the world’s circumstances, the mind eventually grows overwhelmed with each scroll.
 

How AI Is Helping The Management Of Doomscrolling

 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been in the news frequently as leaders in making AI useful by solving everyday problems we face.

They recently developed a system that makes sure that AI models are as reliable as possible. In April, they’d looked at how AI can act as a tool to reduce the time spent on social media that leads to doomscrolling.

Postdoc Xuhai Xu and his team’s AI programme shows pop-up reminders to limit overall screen time. Xu said, “a random notification to stop doomscrolling won’t always tear someone away from their phone. But machine learning can personalise that intervention so it arrives at the moment when it is most likely to work.”
 

6 Apps That Help Manage Doomscrolling

 
Of course, there are quite a few apps that can also help reduce the amount of time spent scrolling away. These 6 stood out as useful and smart for the management of doomscrolling…
 

1. Playsee

 

 
Playsee, the app to help conquer doom-scrolling and explore your local neighbourhood:

To help you overcome social media burnout in 2024, community-driven app Playsee is dedicated to conquering doom-scrolling and promoting a healthy, balanced use of social media. Playsee encourages users to explore what’s on their front doorstep and in their local community, and share their favourite hidden gems with their neighbours.

Playsee highlights everyday moments of people, places, and events happening in the community where users engage with local content and share experiences from their daily lives. Users share neighbourhood happenings through the authentic view and voice of locals.

Whether that means discovering local gems, sharing one-off events or chatting with locals for honest recommendations, Playsee is all about using social media to create genuine experiences and interactions in the real world.

By spending less time scrolling and more time offline, Playsee provides a mindful alternative to other social media apps. Playsee, launched in 2023, has so far accumulated over 1 billion user engagements and has 50 million downloads worldwide.

The app allows you to foster connections and find hidden gems in your local area – with an interactive map showing tagged content and suggestions from locals.
 

2. Headway App

 

 
Headway helps you make better use of your screen time by offering brief book summaries. You can access over 1600 text and audio book summaries, to learn from bestsellers in just 15 minutes a day. The app turns the times where you feel like scrolling to pass time, into educational moments.

Headway uses gamification elements like streaks, trophies, and challenges, making learning fun and engaging. You can even use the app offline, ensuring continuous learning. This app is created as a way to replace doomscrolling with consuming meaningful content, so its easy to absorb the essence of top books quickly and efficiently the way you would want to with short-form videos.
 

 

3. StopScroll: Block Shorts/Reels

 

 
StopScroll helps you break the habit of watching short videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This app lets you block reels and shorts easily, helping you regain control over your screen time. You can customize the controls to set specific limitations based on your preferences.

StopScroll also tracks your usage, with detailed stats on how much time you spend on these platforms. The app promotes a mindful use of your device, for you to focus on more important tasks.
 

4. NoScroll: Boost Attention Span

 

 
NoScroll is designed to help you avoid short video addiction without giving up your favourite apps. It blocks short videos, allowing you to use your apps without falling into the trap of endless scrolling. NoScroll interrupts your scrolling habits with a unique algorithm, helping you regain control over your screen time.

The app promotes a more present and productive lifestyle by increasing your attention span. Features like tracking your daily progress, setting limits, and a habit tracker to monitor improvements are great for progress watching. Download NoScroll to stop scrolling addiction and make better use of your time.
 

5. ScreenZen: App Blocker

 

 
ScreenZen helps you control your screen time and avoid distracting apps. The app introduces a pause before you open a distracting app or website, giving you a moment to reconsider your action. It interrupts your scrolling sessions and allows you to set goals for app usage.

You can customise the app for different days and times, receive messages like “Is this important?” before opening an app, and see screen time for only your distracting apps. ScreenZen promotes mindful use of technology and prevents impulsive app use, helping you regain focus and freedom.
 

6. Blinkist App

 

 
Blinkist helps replace mindless scrolling with learning, especially if attention span is an issue. The app gives summaries and info from over 6500 bestselling non-fiction books, in 15-minute read or listen sessions. Blinkist makes it easy to fit learning into a busy schedule. The app can give recommendations and curated collections to match your interests and goals.

Blinkist saves you money on books with a free service, with the option to purchase full audiobooks for deeper learning. The user-friendly interface and wide range of topics make Blinkist a great alternative to scrolling, helping you invest in your intellectual growth.