Can scrolling feeds become a tool for learning?

A scoping review published in June 2026 on the Journal of Social Media Research (Avcı et al.) analyzing 50 empirical studies defines doomscrolling as a 'repetitive, prolonged, and difficult-to-interrupt consumption of negative digital news, driven by uncertainty, information need, and emotional distress.' Individual factors include fear of missing out, intolerance of uncertainty, emotional vulnerability, and poor self-regulation. The phenomenon is linked to anxiety, distrust, and helplessness. However, the article questions whether the same scrolling mechanisms can be harnessed for education. UNESCO notes that learning, relationships, and information access are increasingly shaped by digital environments. The Guardian observes that 'not all screen time is equal,' with intentional and conscious use turning smartphones into tools for growth. Platforms like Duolingo, Brilliant, Quizlet, and Skillshare adopt social media's language and pacing for microlearning. Yet concerns arise that prolonged reading, handwriting, and in-person discussion are being marginalized. The article concludes that the challenge is not choosing between analog and digital, but building critical tools to inhabit both spaces.