Endless Scroll: The Psychology Of Sogial Media Scrolling

WRITTEN BY BHADUKIYA PRINCE CLASS OF 2028

By scrolling through social media, we can categorize content into short formats like reels and TikToks, or long formats like YouTube videos. This journal mainly discusses how quick hits affect students’ daily activities.

Introduction

In 2024, two major platforms dominate short-form content: Instagram and TikTok. Instagram Reels captures 22% more attention than regular videos, with over 200 billion reels played daily across Instagram and Facebook. TikTok boasts over 1 billion daily users who spend an average of 95 minutes on the app. while Instagram users spend about 62 minutes daily. Notably, there are 50 million Gen Z users on these platforms. This data illustrates how short content is becoming increasingly popular among students, highlighting its addictive nature and potential to disrupt daily life. 71.8% of adults use a screen for most of their mornings upon waking up and once again, Gen Z had the highest percentage at 76.1%. Almost 8 in 10 Gen Z's use social media for most of their evenings before bed. 

THE DOPAMINE LOOP: UNPACKING THE NEUROSCIENCE OF REAL ADDICTION

After we receive notifications on our mobile devices, not interacting with them can cause the release of cortisol, a stress hormone. This reaction can increase stress levels and make it harder to concentrate. Research shows that students can focus for about 65 seconds due to frequent dopamine releases, while office workers, around 3 minutes. A study by Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Lab involved 136 students, some of whom had phones and others who did not. The results showed that those with phones were over 29% more distracted. Neuroscience research indicates that watching short reels or TikTok videos stimulates the brain’s anterior medial thalamic nuclei, which activates the default mode network. The default mode network includes parts of the brain that are active when a person is awake but in laziness or comfort position and daydreaming situation. This means that while we engage with content, our brains also process unrelated thoughts. If you notice these platforms show firstly random content, but over time, they start presenting content we prefer, which further stimulates our brains. According to research in environmental and public health, excessive consumption of this content can lead to anxiety and short-term memory loss. Many people notice that after spending hours on these platforms, they can only remember 2 or 3 videos. On average, children spend about 75 minutes on TikTok and check the app more than 19 times a day.  

RECLAIMING MY TIME: BREAKING FREE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

As we saw results. we can tell this addiction like Honey with poison it kills your mental stability your time and by watching reels or TikTok you got almost nothing from that.

 You have one way, that is just delete your social media accounts. But it seems impossible because if you are in this generation, you know you have to be updated in social relations. Work and social media is the best platform to get updated. But this blessing can become a curse sometimes and this will give pressure to do some things which we don’t like. This phenomenon is called “Digital peer pressure”.

 You can set time limits, like for students one to two hours per day.

 Also, you can turn off notifications from this app.

Before you sleep do exercise or listen to songs and after you wake up, do your regular schedule like breakfast, news reading, bath.

Often, people turn to this apps when they're feeling bored, lonely, or experiencing FOMO. However, during such times, it's beneficial to engage in other activities like reading books, taking a walk around the room, or finding ways to break the cycle. These alternatives can be very effective.

CONCLUSION

In my opinion there are two results we get: First, Scrolling can provide temporary enjoyment, motivation and we go into comfort zone. And also, there is a phenomenon called the “keeping up with the Joneses. It affects our minds and allows us to see others’ luxurious lifestyles which can create unrealistic expectations, leading to dissatisfaction. anxiety, and sometimes even depression due to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out).

An example of “Keeping Up with the Joneses” in Students: Consider a high school student named Sarah. As she scrolls through Instagram, she sees her friends posting about their luxurious vacations and new clothes. Feeling pressure to match their lifestyles, Sarah starts spending more money on trendy outfits and studying harder for perfect grades. This constant comparison makes her feel anxious, showing how social media can create unrealistic expectations and affect student's mental well-being. To overcome this addiction, it helps to engage with longer and more meaningful content or set time limits like for students 1 hours on consumption. The best approach is to focus on your passions or career.