Social networks such as TikTok encourage continuous scrolling within the app due to the sheer volume of content. And that is that they are designed to be addictive.
They tend to keep our eyes on the screens, because the more time and attention we give to these platforms, the more profit the companies behind them get through advertising.
That’s why the developers intentionally create exciting features like likes, notifications and of course, infinite scroll which keeps us glued to the screen for hours without even realizing it.
It seems to be over now in TikTok as other apps like Instagram or Netflix already include time managers. And the fact is that the platform adds a number of new features that are designed to keep you from disappearing into the feed for several hours.
The new feature will show reminder after using the app for a long period of time set by you. If you are between 13 and 17 years old (most users are that age), they will be notified after 100 minutes.
In addition, a panel will be displayed as a notification that will show a summary of app usage (a breakdown of day and night usage).
Why is social media scrolling so addictive?
As psychology explains, people are naturally motivated to complete any unit of something. The tendency is to believe that no matter how much we are given something, it is right, so we are trying to finish it to get satisfaction.
This is what happens with infinite scrolling. Since the amount of content to offer is infinite, we continue to move towards the full goal, which is already known from the very beginning and which you will not reach.
When we scroll through our feed so quickly, changing content, the brain gets a release of dopamine every timecreating a kind of neurological high that makes us keep watching.
One hit leads to another, leading to a cycle of addiction as users get hooked.
Source: Computer Hoy
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
