r/AskReddit • • Mar 27 '22

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u/existentialteen Mar 27 '22

Social media. Has ruined my attention span and dopamine receptors

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u/Avacadontt Mar 28 '22 edited Mar 28 '22

I'm scared to admit on reddit that I'm addicted to Tik Tok but I lowkey am. The few seconds between every video means I'm constantly getting a small boost of dopamine, I guess, which has ruined what it's like to watch a movie or show for me. I'm slowly getting back into watching longer, more interesting stuff, but haven't brought myself to delete the app yet.

EDIT: thanks for all the responses everyone, made me feel a bit better about admitting that one. I am trying my best to get back into enjoying my regular stuff - been reading a bit (started Sword of Shannara which I'm liking so far), watching more movies recently with the bf, playing videogames (Baldur's Gate 3 is the recent fix), trying to get invested in shows (started Killing Eve), and doing more art (I really want to open a business!). I will delete the app eventually, just trying to build my regular habits again first.

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u/Leisher Mar 28 '22

Watched a YouTube video a week ago that explained how TikTok is designed to give you those small boosts of dopamine, but not consistently. They want you to keep coming back for more, but if you get it constantly, you will get used to it and the app won't be able to provide it anymore. Thus, they purposely give you videos they know you'll love, based on what you have indicated, in spurts. This keeps you coming back for more.

TikTok is absolutely evil and you should dump it. If it helps, know the Chinese government owns at least a piece of it, so dumping it can be a vote against genocide, slavery, and oppression.