Podcast Summary: "Why We're So Hooked on Scrolling"
Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
Hosted by CNN Audio
Release Date: January 28, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Why We're So Hooked on Scrolling," host Clare Duffy delves into the addictive nature of social media and smartphone usage. Featuring an insightful conversation between cultural anthropologist Natasha Schull and tech expert Susan Ettlinger, the episode explores the psychological mechanisms and design strategies that keep users engaged for extended periods. The discussion also touches on personal experiences with screen time regulation and potential solutions to mitigate digital addiction.

The Struggle with Screen Time

Natasha Schull opens the conversation by sharing her own challenges with reducing screen time, highlighting the ubiquitous pull of text message notifications and social media algorithms. She recounts her attempt to use the app "Clear Space" to limit her Instagram usage:

"I just went to try to open Instagram and it showed me my feed for just a Second, and now I'm getting a screen from Clear Space that's asking me to breathe in and breathe out."
— Natasha Schull [01:02]

Schull emphasizes the difficulty of self-regulating screen time despite her professional understanding of social media's engagement tactics.

Psychological Drivers of Social Media Addiction

Susan Ettlinger explains that the addiction to social media isn't solely due to the devices themselves but the activities performed on them. She identifies two key features that make these platforms addictive:

1. Asocial Interactions:

   • "It's the asocial nature... there aren't interruptions the way there is in a conversation or social cues for stopping."
     — Susan Ettlinger [04:59]

   The lack of interpersonal interactions while using social media removes natural stopping cues, allowing users to continue indefinitely.

2. Continuous Action and Immediate Feedback:

   • "There's this element of continuous action where you can just keep going. You can keep scrolling... as you do that, you're getting immediate feedback."
     — Susan Ettlinger [05:08]

   Features like infinite scrolling and instant responses create a seamless flow that encourages prolonged engagement.

Ettlinger further compares online dating apps like Tinder to slot machines, highlighting their design's role in fostering addictive behaviors:

"Tinder is a kind of horizontal slot machine because you're swiping left and right... you can just keep going."
— Susan Ettlinger [05:55]

Tech Addiction vs. Traditional Addictions

The conversation shifts to whether the term "addiction" is appropriate for describing excessive technology use. Ettlinger acknowledges the overlap but distinguishes tech addiction from substance addictions:

"If you drink, you're ultimately going to pass out... With tech addiction, people might not know that you're gambling or doing these things on your phone."
— Susan Ettlinger [10:56]

She argues that tech addiction is harder to detect and uproot because it doesn't produce visible external signs like substance abuse does.

Design Strategies That Encourage Prolonged Use

Ettlinger discusses how tech companies design platforms to maximize user engagement for profit:

"It's the attention economy where profit emerges from volume of engagement... iterate your design in the direction of hooking people in and holding them there longer."
— Susan Ettlinger [09:49]

She elaborates on design elements that reduce friction and keep users engaged:

• Curved Interfaces: Inspired by casino carpet designs, which guide users subtly without obvious decisions to leave.
• Removal of Decision Points: Features like swiping and instant feedback eliminate natural pauses, making it easier to continue using the app.

Potential Solutions: Self-Regulation and Policy Changes

The discussion turns to how individuals and lawmakers can address tech addiction. Ettlinger advocates for introducing "friction" into app usage to encourage mindful engagement:

"Reintroducing friction... to make it harder to continue without a deliberate decision."
— Susan Ettlinger [16:02]

Schull shares her experience with the "Clear Space" app, noting a significant reduction in her Instagram usage after implementing the app's restrictions:

"The day after downloading it, I spent just 37 minutes and from then on it's been about 30 to 40 minutes per day."
— Natasha Schull [21:03]

Ettlinger emphasizes that while self-regulation strategies (like moving apps to less accessible screens or using screen dimming) can help, there should be a broader push for design accountability:

"Too much burden is placed on the individual to regulate themselves. It's worth getting a little angry and redirecting it back on the design."
— Susan Ettlinger [18:28]

Personal Strategies for Reducing Screen Time

Natasha Schull and listeners share various techniques to manage screen time effectively:

• Using Built-in Screen Time Limits: Features available on smartphones and specific apps.
• Third-Party Apps: Applications like AppBlock, Screenzen, and Opal help restrict usage.
• Physical Strategies: Leaving phones at home, charging them in another room, or letting them die to prevent access.
• Creative Solutions: One listener mentioned placing their phone in a "jail" box with allotted time away from the screen.

Ettlinger adds her personal strategy of making apps less accessible by relocating them on her phone:

"I moved it two or three pages over on my phone screen... that has helped to dampen it some."
— Susan Ettlinger [18:28]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the collective responsibility to address tech addiction. Ettlinger calls for societal recognition that everyone may need support in regulating their technology use, akin to how children are not expected to self-regulate constantly:

"We need to sort of think of all of ourselves more as kids who might need a little help."
— Susan Ettlinger [20:32]

Natasha Schull reinforces the idea that seeking external boundaries should not induce shame but rather be seen as a practical approach to managing digital habits.

Key Takeaways

• Design Factors: Social media platforms are intentionally designed to maximize user engagement through asocial interactions and continuous feedback loops.
• Addiction Spectrum: Tech addiction shares similarities with traditional addictions but presents unique challenges in recognition and treatment.
• Regulation and Self-Help: Both individual strategies and potential policy interventions are necessary to mitigate the addictive nature of digital platforms.
• Collective Responsibility: Addressing tech addiction requires a societal shift in how we perceive and regulate our interactions with technology.

Notable Quotes

• "It's the asocial nature... there aren't interruptions the way there is in a conversation or social cues for stopping." — Susan Ettlinger [04:59]
• "Reintroducing friction... to make it harder to continue without a deliberate decision." — Susan Ettlinger [16:02]
• "We need to sort of think of all of ourselves more as kids who might need a little help." — Susan Ettlinger [20:32]

This episode of Terms of Service provides a comprehensive look into the mechanisms behind our compulsive scrolling habits and offers practical insights into how both individuals and society can address the challenges posed by our increasingly digital lives.