Do you swipe through videos to combat boredom? Study says you're making it worse | Health

It's a common habit among all of us – when we're bored, we pull out our phones and start scrolling through videos. The endless content available online makes it easier for us to access the kind of content we want to watch. Sometimes, the apps correct the algorithms based on our viewing habits. This makes it difficult for us to get out of the loop of scrolling through videos. Usually, it's considered a habit to beat boredom – but a recent study says it can make our boredom worse.

The study was conducted by the University of Toronto to investigate the interesting habit of people watching entertaining videos to relieve boredom. However, the study showed that this habit can ultimately increase boredom. Katy Tam, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto and lead author of the study, said that the way to find entertainment while watching videos and not increase our boredom is to focus on the content and minimize digital switching.

What is digital switching?

Digital platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Netflix have revolutionized the way we consume content. In these applications, people watch short videos that may or may not hold their attention. Sometimes people scroll through videos to find something interesting and stimulating. This habit – also known as digital switching – can make boredom worse rather than banish it.

The study also found that immersing yourself in a single piece of content is much more enjoyable than constantly switching between content. The results show that digital switching can lead to increased boredom, lower satisfaction, lower attention, and a reduced sense of meaning.

How digital switching can cause boredom

When we scroll through digital content, we skip the boring parts – according to this logic, we should effectively combat boredom. However, this is not the case, as boredom is closely linked to attention. When we are fully immersed in looking at a single piece of content, we are focused and find it meaningful. However, mindless scrolling fragments our attention span and bores us even more.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.