The surprising roots of 4 features that superglue us to screens : NPR
NPR • • science
Key Points:
- Meta and Google have been found liable in landmark cases for harming children through addictive social media features, though both companies are appealing and denying their products are addictive.
- Research by cultural anthropologist Natasha Dow Schüll reveals that key addictive features in social media apps are modeled after video slot machines, designed to hold users in a dissociative "machine zone" state.
- Four core features create this addictive "superglue": solitude (using apps alone), bottomlessness (endless content), speed (rapid feedback and scrolling), and teasing (algorithms delivering near but not full rewards).
- These features collectively encourage overuse and are particularly harmful to children, who are more vulnerable and may develop problematic usage despite negative effects on health and social life.
- Experts emphasize the need for both regulation to protect children from harmful app designs and support to help children manage their screen time effectively.
