The widespread use of the internet has brought many new things into our lives, including apps and programs that can make our work and everyday activities easier, as well as social media sites where we can communicate and entertain ourselves.
Of course, there are two sides to this coin: despite its many positives, social media also has its downsides. I’m sure it’s happened to you at least once: you picked up your phone because you were curious to see if anyone liked your new photo on Instagram, but before you knew it, hours had passed and you were aimlessly scrolling. The haunting contrast in the faces of addiction before and after reveals the profound toll substance abuse can take on a person’s body, mind, and spirit.
In this article, we explore why we fall into this trap again and again, even though we know that excessive scrolling can be just as addictive as an online casino or cigarettes. We will also discuss how we can protect ourselves from developing this bad habit.
The Meaning of Mindless and Infinite Scrolling
The term mindless scrolling refers to the act of aimlessly and almost mechanically scrolling through a social media page on a mobile phone or other device. Infinite scrolling is a web design interaction pattern in which the page loads content as the user scrolls down, making it endless.
While infinite scrolling is a UX design method, mindless scrolling refers to the behavior and operating principle employed by the user; in short, it is up to us. Below, we explore why we are unable to resist this strange activity.
Why do We Scroll for Hours?
The various social media platforms have a common interest in keeping as many users as possible glued to their phones or screens for as long as possible, similar to the operating principle of an online casino. Let’s take a look at the tricks they use to achieve this.
The Tricks of the Algorithm
Social media sites use algorithms to make the platform as personalized as possible for the user.
They can do this primarily by showing content that is sure to interest them.
Infinite scrolling works on the principle that while someone is scrolling, the algorithm continuously analyzes user behavior, interactions with content, and preferences to ensure that content relevant to them is displayed, thus preventing them from leaving the page.
Notifications as Little Drops of Happiness
Our brains always react to the content we encounter. When our phone signals a new notification, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Of course, algorithms ensure that these notifications arrive at just the right time to keep you coming back to the site.
Similar processes happen when we scroll, our brains are looking for the pleasures, that is the content we like. If you stop scrolling, you may feel restless due to an increase in cortisol levels, but this can be alleviated by using social media, which releases dopamine. It’s like when someone wins at an online kaszinó while gambling and experiences a huge rush of joy, then later, when they lose, they chase after that previous feeling of success.
The Danger of Overstimulation
We are bombarded with stimuli every day, and social media use multiplies them. Bright colors, fancy fonts, and catchy music are very appealing. Whether it’s a TikTok video, an online kaszinó game, or an Instagram ad, if we get too much of it, our brains become overloaded by the end of the day.
The biggest problem with this is that our bodies easily become accustomed to stimulus-rich content, so things in the real world, such as a walk in nature, become under-stimulating and seem boring.
How Can We Quit Mindless Scrolling?
Breaking out of the intense consumption of social media content is at least as difficult as for a gambling addict to quit visiting an online casino. It requires serious determination and awareness.
What can help you in this process is a digital detox, which may seem radical, but is effective precisely because of this. Choose a time interval during which you will delete social media apps from your phone, giving yourself no opportunity to get stuck in front of the screen.
If you don’t want to resort to such drastic measures, set a time limit for using apps. For example, after getting up, you can check some Instagram posts while drinking your morning coffee, spend half an hour reading Reddit after work, and then spend an hour playing at your favorite online kaszinó in the evening. Many types of phones allow you to set limits on how many hours you can spend using a particular app, so you can use this feature as well.
Finally, try to spend as much quality time as possible with your friends and family, devote your free time to learning a language or pursuing a hobby, and spend as much time as possible outdoors, realizing that there is life beyond scrolling.