Constantly scrolling on your phone? You're probably underpaid.

Constantly scrolling through negative news and engaging content on your phone can be more than just a symptom of fatigue. Increasingly, experts and internet users are noticing that doomscrolling reveals... our social status.

The phenomenon of doomscrolling —the compulsive scrolling through news, reels, or TikToks, often with negative connotations—has been a concern for psychologists for years. Now, however, it's taking on a new context. As reported by the New York Post , a video by user Jamie has gone viral on Instagram, claiming that technology and dopamine addiction are inseparable companions to burnout and... poverty?

" I scroll through my feed for hours because I feel overwhelmed by everything that's going on. I need a break from reality," Jamie confessed in the video, which has already been viewed by millions.

Her words struck a nerve in modern society – overworked, overstimulated and constantly online.

Jamie emphasizes that doomscrolling is not a "privilege" of successful people.

" Wealthy people don't let their children spend hours in front of iPads. They engage them in activities that develop their skills. Children raised in prosperity aren't glued to screens," he points out.

Internet users cite Mark Zuckerberg as an example, sending his children to a school that limits access to technology to an absolute minimum. No smartphones, social media, or iPads during classes.

The post sparked a heated discussion. Internet users noted that screen addiction is more common among people living under stress and with limited resources.

- When I realized that an iPad for a child is now a symbol of social class, I stopped judging parents - wrote one user.

Someone else added:

- Billionaires don't doomscroll because they don't have crises to escape from.

Experts warn that the habit of endless scrolling has serious health consequences. Rachel Byrd of news.com.au explains that social media apps are deliberately designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible.

- People consciously sacrifice sleep and time to rewind, watch, or check something for a while, he says.

As doctors and scientists have repeatedly emphasized, sleep deprivation and poor quality can lead to serious health problems, from depression and concentration problems to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lack of nighttime regeneration weakens the immune system, disrupts hormonal balance, and increases the risk of heart disease and cancer. Scientists emphasize that sleep is not a luxury, but a biological necessity – an adult needs an average of 7–9 hours of sleep to maintain body balance.

As a result, doomscrolling becomes not only a reflection of our lifestyle, a silly pastime, but also a subtle signal of social status. Because while we all have equal access to the internet and smartphones, not everyone can afford to put them down.