Social Networks: this is how they make you lose track of time

Being attracted to what each of the social networks such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and all the others offer is normal. However, that leads to a loss of the notion of time when and generates a sense of abstraction that they manifest. Each of the social networks traps in a virtual world different from that of real life. In this virtual world of social media, distance and time are different variables. That is why it is difficult to guide and adapt to the temporal measures of the real world.

Social networks have become an indispensable part of our individual reality. However, behind the fascination lies a complicated understanding of how they impact our daily lives.

Dissociative States

Users frequently enter a dissociative state while scrolling through social media, where they become absorbed in the content and lose awareness of their surroundings and the passage of time. This phenomenon is characterized by a diminished sense of agency, making users more susceptible to the addictive designs of these platforms. Researchers from the University of Washington noted that many users reported feeling "all-consumed" during their social media sessions, highlighting how this state contributes to losing track of time.

Infinite Scrolling

Social media is designed to keep users engaged with endless content through features like infinite scrolling and algorithmically curated feeds. This design encourages prolonged interaction without natural stopping points, making it easy for users to continue browsing without realizing how much time has passed. The anticipation of new content can trigger similar neurocognitive responses as gambling, further reinforcing the habit.

Emotional Engagement

The emotional engagement that social media fosters—whether through positive interactions or consuming compelling content—can also contribute to time distortion. Users may feel compelled to continue engaging due to emotional rewards, further blurring their sense of time.

Design Features

The design elements of social media—such as infinite scrolling and algorithmically curated feeds—are specifically crafted to keep users engaged for extended periods. These features eliminate natural stopping cues, making it easy for users to continue browsing without realizing how much time has passes.

The design of social media platforms often triggers the release of dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure—when users receive likes or comments on their posts. This creates an addictive cycle where users seek out more interactions for that rewarding feeling, leading to increased screen time and further diminishing their ability to focus on non-digital tasks.

Flow State

The immersive experience often associated with social media can induce a flow state, where users become deeply engaged in their activity. This state is characterized by intense focus and enjoyment, leading individuals to lose track of time as they become completely absorbed in the content.

Attention

Numerous studies have highlighted that excessive use of social media correlates with a decline in attention spans. The design of platforms like TikTok and Instagram promotes quick, bite-sized content that caters to the brain's craving for instant gratification. This constant exposure to rapid stimuli trains users to expect quick rewards, which can lead to difficulties in maintaining focus on longer tasks or complex information.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Social media also amplifies FOMO, a psychological phenomenon where individuals feel anxious about missing out on experiences shared by others. This anxiety compels users to frequently check their feeds, further fragmenting their attention and reducing their ability to engage deeply with their current activities.

Final thoughts

Social networks represent a very powerful means of communication. They do not represent an evil in itself, but manifest many challenges. The addiction to the use of these platforms, the smear campaigns, the spread of fake news and the wide variety of lies make societies exposed to unique discourses. People end up believing falsehoods that are exposed on social media as absolute truths.