Discussions on the harmful effects of social networks have been gaining more and more space. Still, a question doesn’t want to silence: Why can’t we stop rolling the feed?
Thinking about it, the CNN He interviewed psychologist Cristiano Nabuco, a pioneer in the studies of technological dependencies in Brazil and ahead of the Matera Association, to answer this question and bring tips for this habit to be left behind.
Why can’t we stop rolling the feed?
Brain reaction
Created by the American Aza Raskin, infinite roll aimed to improve the navigating the interface of electronic devices instead of pagination. It became popular with the advent of smartphones from the 2010s.
With the boom of social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter (currently called X), Instagram, among others, the infinite scroll model was adopted as standard navigation.
However, if the goal was only to improve the user experience, that is, bringing benefits to him, it is known that a load of harms can be attributed to this navigation model – which even made Raskin expose his frustration with his own creation in various interviews.
“When rolling the bar [do feed]the person has contact with new information, notifications and likes. This activates the dopaminergic system, a neurotransmitter linked to the sense of reward that condemns it, ”explains Nabuco. According to the expert, the reaction is similar to what happens and chemicals.
The release of dopamine causes the process to climb. So in the next roll, something is expected and progressively. Another thing that is involved is also the intermittent reward, like a nickel hunting machine: even if you don’t win, keep pulling and pulling. It is expected to find something cool
Cristiano Nabuco, psychologist and specialist in technological dependencies
Imposition of social networks
In addition to the biochemical aspect, there is a second that concerns the imposing mode of content consumption practiced by social networks. “We have that videoplay for videos that start working even before the OK has been given. That is, who decides [o consumo do conteúdo] It’s not you, but the platform. ”
Nabuco also highlights the constant notifications that generate urgent triggers. “All of these processes make people go on a climb where and stop rolling the feed is almost impossible.”
How to stop then? See 5 tips from the psychologist
Given these challenges, Nabuco suggests some practices that can help reduce the habit of rolling the feed:
1. Establish schedules without screens
Between 30 minutes and 1 hour before bed, the ideal is that the smartphone or any other device will be turned off so that the brightness does not disturb sleep and mind starts to relax.
2. Activate usage time alerts
The social networks themselves have tools that monitor how long has been spent on them. There are applications that also do this control and can help you understand how the hours of day and week are dedicated to the internet.
3. Do not use social networks as an escape
As Nabuco points out, social networks can be used in times of relaxation or in small breaks of everyday life. However, they should not be used as exhaust valves.
“He stopped his work, went to the bathroom, took a coffee … can take a look. What he can’t do is use the nets and screens as if they were the cigarette in the old days. Or when there is nothing to do, opening them. It begins to change all brain dynamics.”
4. Change important apps to the second screen
This tip is related to creating obstacles to accessing widely used applications. This is because, by leaving them on the first screen, the red balls can activate urgent triggers. On the second screen, the brain is allowed not to be eager to see what the information is.
5. Mode does not disturb and in another environment
Especially on occasions when the concentration is very demanded, the recommendation is that the electronics remain in non -disturbing mode and preferably in another environment than the person.
“Even with a device beside it without using it, the capacity for attention decreases in almost one third. [Nesses momento]leave the phone elsewhere. When you finish, when relaxed, you can pick it up. ”
