Doomscrolling at work wastes time, but the real cost is what happens after
Research from Texas A&M University indicates that consuming negative news during work hours leads to rumination and decreased employee engagement. The study suggests that the impact of 'doomscrolling' persists long after the workday ends.
Why it matters
It provides empirical evidence for the psychological impact of digital media consumption on workplace productivity and mental health.
The effects of consuming negative news during the workday can linger in employees' minds long after they stop scrolling.
Aug. 13, 2026 By Lesley Henton , Texas A&M University Division of Marketing and Communications
Across two studies involving workers in the United States and United Kingdom, researchers found a consistent pattern: employees who doomscroll at work are more likely to ruminate on the negative information they encounter, and that rumination contributes to lower work engagement.
Whether on lunch break or on the clock, many employees scroll through the news and social media during the workday. Researchers found that employees who “doomscroll” at work suffer hidden costs that extend beyond lost productivity.
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