Hooked & Distracted: Reclaiming Your Power from the Pull of Social Apps
Sailors,
Have you ever been in the middle of making dinner only to catch yourself, phone in hand, mindlessly scrolling? The stove’s on, something’s half-chopped, but here you are, glued to your screen. You can’t even remember deciding to pick up your phone, it just sort of…happened.
It’s like your brain flips to autopilot, suddenly you’re being steered without even realizing it. One moment you’re in control, the next you’re mindlessly scrolling. You’re not alone. Social apps are intentionally designed to pull you in, keep you hooked, and make sure you keep coming back for more.
Developers use psychological principles to create features that trigger dopamine release in the brain to keep us in a feedback loop. In simpler terms, these social apps provide small and frequent rewards that addict us. They are designed using tricks that tap into our brain's reward system.
Notifications and reactions use variable rewards to release dopamine, reinforcing the habit of checking our apps. Infinite scrolling? It’s engineered to tap into human curiosity to keep us continuously flowing an endless stream of content, eager to discover what comes next. Even group-specific communities, like The Crum Canoe Exclusive, tap into fundamental human needs like connection and belonging. All this, and more, taps into your natural desire to seek social validation and be part of something that becomes hard to break away from.
Everything you see, even the colors, is intentional. Take red, for example, those red notifications that show how many people reacted to your activity. The color red instantly grabs your attention. Your brain is wired to see it as urgent, tied to survival instincts like fire and blood. Society has reinforced this connection with stop signs, warning labels, and emergency lights. Every choice is carefully thought out and designed by experts who understand how to grab and hold your focus. It’s all deliberate.
I believe most things are meant to be consumed in moderation. Even the best things, when overused, can lead to unintended and sometimes harmful consequences. It’s important to recognize the impact and find balance. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably caught yourself with your phone in hand on autopilot during meal prep, social outings, or even family time. It’s a habit that sneaks up on you before you even realize it, and a clear sign that something needs to change.
It’s time to face the issue and break free from the bad habit that’s quietly turned into an addiction. Recognize this, own it, and call yourself out. These apps are built to influence your behavior, and they are doing exactly what they have been designed to do. Take your power back. Now that you are aware of their tactics, make conscious choices about how you use these apps and engage on your terms.
Signed.
-Just a messy mom in her kitchen
Lighting the way with purpose, resilience, and hope
Founder & Creator of Crum Canoe Candle Co.
Nikki Crum