New Data Reveals Montana’s Top Doomscrolling Cities

We like to think of ourselves as rugged, outdoorsy people, the types who spend more time on a mountain than on a phone screen. But according to new research from iSelect, it turns out plenty of us are stuck doing the same thing as the rest of America: doomscrolling.

Bozeman and Helena Take the Top Spots

Residents of Bozeman and Helena are leading the charge or, depending on how you look at it, taking the biggest hit, with residents in both cities watching an average of 19 online videos per person every single day. That’s not just a “quick check of the news.” That’s nearly 20 hits of information overload before bedtime.

Politics Are Consuming Our Feeds

So what are Montanans glued to? Politics, by a landslide. Whether it’s campaign clips, congressional chaos, or heated “what-if” videos, political content dominates nearly every city’s viewing habits. Right behind it comes finance, AI and tech, and then lighter topics like entertainment, sports, and music. Basically: stress first, fun later.

How Each Big Montana City Stacks Up

Bozeman and Helena may be tied at 19 views a day, but other cities aren’t far behind:

Kalispell clocks in at 12 videos per person daily
Butte hits 9
Missoula sits at 8
And Billings, surprisingly, watches the least at 6

So if you’re in Billings, congratulations, you’re officially the least online. Or at least, the least willing to admit it.

Too Much Screen Time = Stress, Say Experts

Andrés Gutierrez from iSelect put it pretty plainly: binge-watching political content all day isn’t great for your brain. High screen time, especially on heavy topics, can boost anxiety, ruin sleep, and make stress way harder to shake. His advice? Set limits, take more walks, and remember that fishing poles and trailheads don’t come with notification alerts.

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Time to Trade the Scroll for Some Fresh Air?

So here’s your friendly nudge, Montana: maybe swap one or two of those political videos for a hike, a coffee with a friend, or even a nap. Your brain (and probably your blood pressure) will thank you.