Chapter 1: The Distraction Dilemma

It was 3 PM, and I had just woken up. With finals week looming and three projects due by midnight, what do you think I chose to do? Instead of tackling my assignments, I opened TikTok and began to scroll. Two hours later, I was still lost in the feed.

This moment from two years ago came back to me today as I noticed a girl walking across the street, completely absorbed in TikTok.

Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash

It reminded me of those reckless days when I would scroll through my phone while driving.

Section 1.1: The Generational Impact

What has TikTok done to our generation? Our attention spans have dwindled to the point where focusing for a few minutes feels like a monumental task. The situation is exacerbated by the extremes to which people will go for a moment of fame. For instance, there was a trend where high schoolers stole entire toilets just to gain some fleeting recognition.

I've seen classmates fabricate disorders solely for attention. The pursuit of likes and views can truly bring out the worst in people. TikTok acts as a poison, one that we must take seriously, as it is designed to drain our most valuable resource: our attention.

Photo by Marcos Mathias on Unsplash

How else can one explain spending countless hours watching videos that last a mere 15 seconds?

Section 1.2: The Illusion of Reward

TikTok entices users with the promise of discovering “the next best video.” As you scroll, your brain’s dopamine receptors become activated, leading you to believe that the next video could be the one that excites you.

In my exploration of this addiction, I found striking parallels to the Skinner Box Experiment with rats. In this study, one group of rats pressed a lever for a predictable reward, while another group pressed a lever for random rewards, sometimes receiving nothing in return.

The findings revealed that rats pressing for random rewards did so compulsively. This is akin to the experience of TikTok users, who find it challenging to disengage from the app, even when they desperately need to focus on other tasks.

Alcoholics drink out of habit; TikTok users scroll out of habit.

One Percent Better Every Day

In reflecting on these insights, I've come to realize the importance of prioritizing self-care over mindless scrolling.

Adrian