Short-form content is literally killing your ability to focus. Have you ever sat down for a study session and can\u2019t help yourself to use your phone? Platforms such as TikTok, along with Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, have embraced the same principles that render slot-machines addictive. When you’re scrolling, sometimes you come across a photo or something that captures your attention. You experience an immediate small dopamine rush in the brain which compels you to continue scrolling. If you\u2019ve ever used TikTok, you\u2019ll know just how easy it is to get caught in a scrolling loop. It\u2019s like falling down a rabbit hole that you can\u2019t get out of\u2014but why would you ever want to? With its personalised feed, almost every video you see is tailored to your exact topic preferences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that isn\u2019t alarming, we can delve deeper into the inherent problems with Tiktok and the actual science behind the control it has over its consumers. TikTok has practically an endless amount of videos, therefore the dopamine-induced feelings of reward are at our fingertips. We have unlimited access to unearned satisfaction; did we really do anything to acquire the happiness we felt from that amusing video, or did we just tap the screen and turn the volume up?
I believe the two most prevalent consequences are how it affects our happiness and also how it affects our ability to focus. If we have access to artificially-made sources of endless dopamine, and all we need to do is scroll to get a new hit each time, there is no way to authentically replicate that in reality. As such, scrolling endlessly fries your dopamine receptors and intrinsically kills your ability to focus which can cause inherent problems in your day-to-day life<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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