# rage scrolling

idiom · CEFR C1 · Informal

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rage-scrolling
Updated: 2026-10-10

## Meaning

The act of continuing to read negative or upsetting content on social media or news websites despite the fact that it causes feelings of anger or frustration.

## Examples

- I spent an hour rage scrolling through the comments section of that controversial post instead of going to sleep.
- After the election results were announced, many people found themselves rage scrolling through their social media feeds to see what the other side was saying.
- Psychologists suggest that rage scrolling functions as a maladaptive coping mechanism where the user seeks out provocative stimuli to justify their existing emotional state.

## Origin

The term is a modern portmanteau combining 'rage' and 'scrolling', following the pattern of the earlier and more common term 'doomscrolling'. It emerged during the late 2010s and gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of intense political polarization. While 'doomscrolling' focuses on the fear of bad news, 'rage scrolling' specifically describes the compulsive consumption of content that triggers indignation or outrage, often as a way to validate one's own biases or to engage in mental arguments with opposing viewpoints.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.