Gen Z turns to books and puzzles to reduce time spent doomscrolling

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Gen Z turns to books and puzzles to reduce time spent doomscrolling. (2026, October 30). CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/gen-z-turns-to-books-and-puzzles-to-reduce-time-spent-doomscrolling/

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Quick Summary

Crystal Bell, the digital culture editor at Mashable, discusses a trend among Generation Z where individuals are turning to activities like reading books and solving puzzles as alternatives to excessive smartphone use, often referred to as "doomscrolling." This shift towards what is being called "brain stacking" aims to reduce screen time and promote more engaging and mentally stimulating pastimes.

Written by AI on 2026-11-01, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

A new trend called "brain stacking" is gaining traction among Gen Z, who are increasingly turning to books and puzzles to reduce the amount of time they spend doomscrolling on their phones. According to Crystal Bell, digital culture editor at Mashable, this shift involves engaging in mentally stimulating activities that take them away from screens. The trend aims to promote mental health by encouraging young people to engage with physical media rather than endless scrolling through social media and news apps.

Written for “Gen Z Avoids Doomscrolling” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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No political leaning scored for article 118657 · logged 2026-11-01

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