Why doomscrolling feels automatic
Doomscrolling often begins without a conscious decision. A notification, a difficult moment or a pause between tasks becomes one quick check.
A better boundary is set earlier, while you still remember what you wanted the next hour to be for.
Make the first tap the stopping point
Start a session and write the concrete thing you want to finish. If you tap a selected feed, Screen Time shielding keeps it closed and returns your intention to view.
The interruption does not demand motivation or ask you to protect a streak. It gives the earlier decision room to matter again.
Build a boundary that fits the moment
Use soft mode when a reminder and delay are enough. Choose hard mode when you do not want an in-app bypass. Use locked mode when the session must reach the timer.
Choose a small task, set a realistic session, keep necessary tools available and make distracting feeds inaccessible.