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What is doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is when you keep scrolling endlessly on your phone, often through news, social media or videos, without consciously deciding to stop. You lose track of time and keep going, even when the content isn’t actually making you feel any happier or more relaxed.
Why do we keep scrolling?
Every time you see something interesting, your brain gets a small dopamine boost. That feels good and makes you want to keep going. Apps and platforms are cleverly designed around this, which makes it harder to stop and keeps you searching for that next little moment of reward.
How do companies benefit from this?
Companies make money from your attention. The longer you keep scrolling, the more ads they can show you. Algorithms are designed to keep serving you relevant and engaging content, so you’re less likely to click away. In this way, your time and attention are turned into advertising revenue for the platforms.
“The animation became more than just a story about doomscrolling and what it actually is. It also held up a mirror to ourselves. It was confronting to realise that everything on your phone is designed to keep you scrolling.”
– Daniël Visscher, AI & Animation Director
The story behind this AnyStory
We all spend more time on our phones than we probably want to. That familiar struggle inspired us, Mark van Wijgerden and Daniël Visscher, to create this AnyStory. An animation about doomscrolling: endlessly scrolling without it actually making you feel any better. A topic that, while creating it, almost started to feel like a form of therapy.
We realised we were dealing with it ourselves too. Mark had already tried to limit his screen time using app limits. Daniël wanted to use his phone less to set a good example for his son. But why is it so hard to put your phone down, even when you know it isn’t doing you any good?
As we looked further into the subject, one thing quickly became clear: it’s no coincidence that stopping is so difficult. Everything on your phone is designed to keep you looking. Endless feeds, clever notifications and algorithms that know exactly how to keep your attention. We wanted the animation to show how that works, because once you understand what’s happening, you can actually start to do something about it.
In the animation, we made this visual by literally choosing the phone’s perspective: the phone is looking at you. You see the main character slowly lose his colour as he keeps scrolling and the energy is drained out of him. But as soon as he breaks the pattern, his energy and colour return, and he can start enjoying life again.
Sven Cooler
Founder & CEO
Connect with us!
Contact Sven for a free consultation at +31 (0)76 886 7790 or click the button below to schedule an appointment directly.
Let's chatThe script
Endless scrolling, zombie scrolling, doomscrolling… Phone addictions, all with the same effect. We stay glued to our screens longer than we’d like. But why is it so hard to stop and how can we break free? Scrolling is easy. Your phone is always within reach, ready to deliver a dopamine hit, making you feel happy and satisfied for a moment. Dopamine functions like a reward system. Just like slot machines, the rewards keep you hooked, craving that next hit. Every time you come across something exciting, your brain reinforces the habit, making it harder to stop. Your phone, its apps, and social media are designed to capture and keep your attention. Smart tricks like infinite scrolling prevent a natural stopping point. News sites profit from your need to stay informed, while negative news feeds your brain with constant alerts that you can’t ignore. And on top of that, algorithms track how much time you spend looking at posts and adjust your feed accordingly, pulling you deeper into the void of indefinite engagement. On average, people now spend about 4 hours a day on their phone. Time you could be spending differently. So why are you still scrolling? The answer is simple: companies profit from it. The more time you spend scrolling, the more valuable you are to advertisers. Your attention is no longer just yours; it’s a product being bought and sold. It’s time to change your habits and take back control. Limit notifications to the absolute minimum. Identify apps that trigger excessive scrolling and move them to a less accessible part of your phone or delete them. Install an app that helps you track and limit your screen time. And most of all: create physical distance between you and your phone by not bringing it to bed or the toilet. Don’t forget, it’s not bad to feel bored without a phone. Boredom sparks creativity, boosts problem solving and encourages mindfulness. Give your brain a break, stimulate self-reflection and engage in meaningful activities. Your time is valuable. Take back control. Because every scroll steals a moment where you could be doing something better.
