Swipe, Scroll, Repeat

Houston, Texas

Looking at the screen at night

It's 1:00 a.m. You've just told yourself, "Five more minutes.” Now your eyes are red, your head aches, and your thumbs are numb. But somehow, you are still watching strangers perform their lives. You don't even remember how you got there, but the screen is reeling you in. Welcome to the loop: swipe, scroll, repeat. As we continue to advance, social media isn't something that we use anymore, but rather something that uses us. Follow along as we explore the effect of social media in our lives.

Why the Loop Works

Social media addiction isn't accidental; it’s intentional. The platform uses algorithms and content that engages the viewers reward system, allowing them to get hooked on the content. Essentially, these apps are designed to keep readers trapped in the endless loop of scrolling. Every swipe brings something new, exciting, unpredictable, and tailored to your interest, making it impossible to stop. This is where dopamine—a neurotransmitter that acts as the body's reward center by regulating motivation and pleasure—comes into play. It's an incentive that allows us to continuously seek social media over and over again. When we watch social media, a large amount of dopamine is released, which gives a "druggified” effect, attracting us as humans to perform the deed again in order to reproduce the same effect. In this case, it doesn't matter whether it's a funny video, a sad video, or a shocking moment; your brain is continuously rewarded without you realizing it. That's why, when you set a goal to open a social media app for a few minutes, you find yourself still there a few hours later.

The Effects

Social media contents

While the loop may seem harmless since it is a method of enjoyment, its effects on our time, focus, and mental health are anything but harmless. Hours slip by unnoticed, turning "just five minutes" into hours filled with exhaustion. This is known as doom scrolling, and its negative effects are numerous. Doom scrolling can overstimulate the brain, leading to a lack of sleep. It can trigger depression and anxiety and reinforce negative thoughts through its vicious cycle of information and news. Essentially, doom scrolling puts mental stress on our brain, which eventually leads to us breaking down. Beyond the mental stress, social media often creates a space where comparison thrives, making it easy for negative feelings to grow through a screen. Eventually, what starts as a simple form of entertainment ends up leaving you drained and disconnected from the real world.

Call to Action

Set Time Limits: Try putting a timer on how long you spend on social media.

Practice Mindful Scrolling: Whenever you find yourself doomscrolling, put your phone down and take a moment away from it.

Prioritize other activities: Engage in other hobbies that don't involve you being on your phone constantly.

In conclusion, the loop only continues if we let it. The next time you catch yourself scrolling past midnight, ask yourself: Are you in control, or are you just part of the loop?

Citation

• https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2024/07/doomscrolling-breaking-the-habit

• https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2021/10/addictive-potential-of-social-media-explained.html

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