Gen Z is trying to log their way out of doomscrolling

"Across TikTok, Substack, and Instagram, younger generations are sharing weekly roundups of the books, films, podcasts, and long-form articles they have consumed - often under the banner of 'media I consumed instead of doomscrolling.' Social cataloging apps designed to track and share media consumption have risen in popularity, while content on creating physical media journals is also trending."

"Gen Zers and millennials engaging in the trend say the practice is helping them become more intentional with the media they consume - and prove they can still focus on something longer than a TikTok. The addictive nature of short-form content has added a new dimension to logging: it has been framed as a deliberate choice to step away from doomscrolling and become more conscious of what you consume."

"This marks a growing shift to analog - as the craving for time away from screens grows stronger, people are finding ways of de-digitalizing their lives. Gen Z is swapping scrolling with in-person hobbies, while some millennials are raising their children with retro-style tech."

Young people are increasingly tracking their media consumption through social cataloging apps, physical journals, and social media roundups to counteract doomscrolling habits. Platforms like Goodreads have gained popularity alongside trending content about creating media journals. Gen Z and millennials report that logging their consumption helps them become more intentional about what they watch and read, demonstrating sustained focus beyond short-form content. This practice reflects a broader cultural shift toward analog methods and reduced screen time, as people seek to de-digitalize their lives. Notable examples include Maria Paula Colmenares's Substack newsletter with over 448,000 subscribers, where she shares weekly media roundups as an alternative to mindless scrolling.

Read at Business Insider