BY : Haya Noor Ansari,
Journalism course at SZABIST University.
Karachi : Those who live in the digital age frequently lose track of time as they spend hours browsing through
their phones. Psychological triggers, the necessity of continuous engagement, and app design are
some of the causes driving this behaviour.
One of the amin reasons is instant gratification. Having instant access to social media, news, and
entertainment via a smartphone releases modest amounts of dopamine, which lifts our spirits. Our
desire to continually check for updates, messages, or notifications is prompted by this feedback
loop.
An endless scroll feature allows users to browse an app without ever running out of space. This is
notably common on social media platforms. We are continually expecting to discover something
new or fascinating, which piques our curiosity and makes it difficult to quit.
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is another contributing factor. We are driven to remain informed about
current events, news, and trends and to keep ourselves linked to others. Because of this
anxiousness, we constantly check our phones to make sure we didn't miss anything crucial.
Diversion and escape also have an impact. A common strategy used by people to divert themselves
from stress or boredom is to swipe through their phones. The phone offers a familiar and safe haven
during stressful or anxious moments.
Lastly, we stay hooked because of societal approval. Likes, comments, and shares are the foundation
of social media networks. We continue to publish, check, and scroll in order to keep up our online
presence because we want to be accepted and receive comments.
The combination of these elements results in a hard-to-break habit that encourages prolonged
phone use. Finding balance in our digital lives and increasing our awareness of our screen time can
be achieved by being aware of these triggers.
