Stop Doom-Scrolling, Start Microlearning: This App Helps You Make The Switch
We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling endlessly on your phone, but instead of funny cat videos, you’re looking at the bad stuff. You’re reading negative news story after negative news story, distressing social media post after distressing social media post.
This is called doom-scrolling, and it’s as bad for you as it sounds. A 2022 study found doom-scrolling was linked to psychological distress, which can lead to lower mental well-being and life satisfaction.
But you probably knew that already. Most of us don’t feel great after a doom-scrolling session, and yet we can’t stop. So how do you break the habit?
Break Your Doom-Scrolling Addiction
Experts have written whole books on the topics of phone addiction, the dangers of social media, and how to reclaim your life from technology. And Blinkist can help you learn from them all.
Blinkist is an app that shares the key lessons from nonfiction books in bite-sized explainers you can read or listen to in 15 minutes.
You can get science-backed advice on how to stop doom-scrolling. And you can open Blinkist whenever you get the itch to check the news or Facebook, and get curated content designed to make your life better — not worse.
In short, Blinkist can help you swap mindless scrolling for intentional learning.
Want to learn how to stop doom-scrolling, but don’t know how? Here are five books on the Blinkist app that can help you stop doom-scrolling once and for all.
1. Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier
Ten Arguments for Deleting your Social Media Accounts Right Now
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
It’s not your fault you get sucked into doom-scrolling, social media is designed to be addictive.
Jaron Lanier explains how platforms profit from your endless scrolling. And he even argues that negative emotions are the lifeblood of social media.
After all, if everything were positive, you’d be more likely to log off and go enjoy life.
“To free yourself, to be more authentic, to be less addicted, to be less manipulated, to be less paranoid…for all these marvelous reasons, delete your accounts.”Jaron Lanier.
2. Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
Stolen Focus
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
There are many psychological principles at play when it comes to doom-scrolling. Negativity bias is one of these principles, and you can learn all about it in Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus.
Negativity bias explains how negative experiences have a bigger impact on us than positive ones. Social media algorithms know this all too well and feed us negative content to keep our eyeballs on the screen.
3. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Digital Minimalism
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Cal Newport dives into how we can declutter our technological lives and break our addiction to our phones.
His advice includes quitting all non-essential tech for 30 days and — for a less extreme hack — leaving your phone at home and going for tech-free walks.
“The urge to check Twitter or refresh Reddit becomes a nervous twitch that shatters uninterrupted time into shards too small to support the presence necessary for an intentional life.”Cal Newport.
4. How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
How to Break Up with Your Phone
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Catherine Price shares actionable advice for spending less time on your phone and more time in the real world. One key piece of advice for doom-scrollers? Delete social media apps from your phone.
You don’t have to delete your accounts altogether. But by only having them accessible on your computer, you might find yourself being more intentional with the time you spend on social media.
5. Irresistible by Adam Alter
Irresistible
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Psychology teacher Adam Alter explains how addiction can happen to anyone in the right circumstances. And that addiction can be drugs, alcohol, or technology.
Alter also suggests, rather than trying to repress bad habits, try substituting them with something better for you. Our recommendation? The Blinkist app.
Get Life-Changing Content in 15 Minutes
If you’re trying to substitute doom-scrolling with good-for-you phone time, open the Blinkist app. Blinkist shares expertly curated content inspired by the world’s best nonfiction books.
Beyond the five books we’ve highlighted here, there are more than 6,500 titles to choose from in one of the biggest libraries of its kind. Explore 27 categories such as personal development, mindfulness, and psychology.
And there’s always something new to discover. The Blinkist team adds 70 new books every month, including the latest New York Times bestsellers and trending titles.
Learn from the world’s best nonfiction books in just 15 minutes.
Create Good Habits On the Go
Doom-scrolling doesn’t just happen at home. You might get the itch to open TikTok or check the news while commuting, on your lunch break, or when waiting in line at the grocery store.
Luckily, learning with Blinkist doesn’t just happen at home either. You can listen to Blinkist’s bite-sized explainers on the go. Meaning you can access positive content wherever you are, and work on your personal development in pockets of time you have throughout the day.
Blinkist Helps Users Make Real Change
Blinkist isn’t just about positive content. Many explainers share actionable advice and science-backed hacks for building better habits.
Blinkist can help you make real change, and our users are proof it works. Almost 88% have made positive changes to their lives based on what they’ve learned on the app.
Even more impressive? 91% of its users have created better habits since using Blinkist.
26 Million Users Trust Blinkist with Their Learning
Blinkist has 26 million users around the world who trust the app with their learning and self-development.
And they’re not shy about sharing the love. Blinkist has 94,000 5-star reviews in app stores. Here’s what a few users have to say:
“Brilliant app and great curated content.” –5-star review.“Highly recommend Blinkist, I listen to a book a day while I’m driving, walking the dog or cleaning. Brilliant for learning about so many areas.” –5-star review.
One of the World’s Best Apps for Personal Growth
Beyond worldwide users, Blinkist is loved by big names. The app has been praised by The New York Times and Forbes, it’s won awards from Google and the United Nations, and Apple named it one of the top 20 apps for lifelong learning.
“When we started, most apps were for social media or gaming. We wanted to do something different and build an app that would add genuine value to someone’s life.” –Holger Seim, CEO of Blinkist.
It’s easy to see why. As well as bite-sized explainers of nonfiction books, you can learn from expert-led mini-courses called Guides and share the best advice you discover with friends in virtual book clubs called Spaces.
Want to swap doom-scrolling for intentional bite-sized learning? Download the Blinkist app to get started.
Vanessa is a freelance writer living in London. When not at her laptop, she loves to run, travel and scuba dive wherever she can.
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What is Blinkist?
Blinkist is an app that transforms key insights from great nonfiction books into quick, easy-to-understand highlights. The reality is – everyone loves reading, but no one has the time. Blinkist fills this learning gap and makes acquiring new knowledge effortless.
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