The modern human has access to more information than ever before; yet they are losing their ability to focus like never before. At the core of this digital design lies dopamine, one of the key neurotransmitters of the brain’s reward system. The ongoing scrolling behavior on digital screens is not merely a habit; it is a dopamine-based neuropsychological process directly linked to the brain’s reward system.
Each time a finger swipes down the screen, a small expectation forms in the brain: the next piece of content might be more interesting. And behind this anticipation lies the dopamine system. The repetitive scrolling behavior on digital screens is designed to constantly stimulate this system. Checking a notification, scrolling one more post, or glancing at the screen “just one last time”… These small actions activate the brain’s reward anticipation mechanism, powered by dopamine. Today, screen scrolling behavior is shaped less by individual will and more by digital designs that cater to the brain’s dopamine-driven reward system.
Dopamine, Balance, and Psychological Functioning
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in regulating memory, motivation, and reward processes in the central nervous system. The healthy functioning of the dopaminergic system is critically important not only for neurological integrity but also for psychological balance (Sayın, 2008). This system stimulates us to perform goal-directed behaviors. When we reach a desired goal, our dopamine levels rise.
However, if this cycle is repeated constantly and frequently with incorrect associations, a continuous elevation occurs. When frequency and continuity become excessive, balance and functionality are disrupted. In its simplest example: imagine being constantly happy. At first glance, it might sound appealing. Yet when a single emotional state dominates at high intensity, other emotions lose their function. Sadness, excitement, and anxiety no longer serve their adaptive psychological roles.
From this perspective, irregularities in dopamine levels lead to numerous problems. These irregularities are associated with many clinical conditions, ranging from Parkinson’s disease to addiction, and from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to schizophrenia.
How the Digital World Hijacks the Dopaminergic System
So how is such a sensitive system activated in the digital world? Under normal circumstances, the brain does not constantly produce high doses of dopamine. However, psychoactive substances and addictive experiences disrupt this natural balance. Clinically, this appears as a process in which individuals struggle to explain why they turn to the screen, yet strongly experience the urge to continue the behavior.
Thus, screen usage gradually becomes less of a conscious choice and more of an automatic inclination (Kürtünlü & Büyükbaykal, 2025). Under normal conditions, dopamine release occurs within an effort–reward balance and is temporary. However, the fast, unpredictable, and continuous reward stimuli encountered on digital platforms disrupt this natural order.
Content personalized according to previous user interactions presents a new and potentially more rewarding stimulus with every scroll, repeatedly triggering dopamine release. In this process, the individual no longer focuses on the content itself but on the anticipation of pleasure that “the next one” might bring.
From Habit to Compulsion: The Addiction Loop
Over time, scrolling behavior ceases to be a conscious choice and transforms into a habit, and subsequently into a compulsive pattern. At this stage, the behavior is sustained not for pleasure, but to reduce restlessness, avoid boredom, or compensate for declining dopamine levels.
This leads to a withdrawal-like discomfort, one of the core components of addiction cycles. As seen in behavioral addictions, individuals experience repeated unsuccessful attempts to control screen use. Usage duration gradually increases, and psychological costs intensify. While distraction, mental fatigue, and dissatisfaction grow, scrolling paradoxically becomes a coping mechanism for these negative emotions.
This vicious cycle is reinforced through overstimulation of the dopaminergic system, gradually taking on an addiction-like structure (Kürtünlü & Büyükbaykal, 2025).
Infinite Scrolling and Cognitive Fragmentation
The infinite scrolling feature blurs mental boundaries. The uninterrupted flow of content makes it difficult for individuals to notice how much time has passed while simultaneously weakening decision-making processes. Attention shifts rapidly between stimuli, and avoidance of cognitively demanding tasks becomes more likely.
In the long term, this leads to reduced cognitive depth and fragmentation of attention capacity (Kürtünlü & Büyükbaykal, 2025). Information overload is defined as exposure to more information than can be meaningfully processed in a short time (Eppler & Mengis, 2004). This overload strains attention and encourages rapid, unselective scrolling.
Over time, this passive scrolling behavior transforms into an avoidant coping strategy, further reinforcing addiction cycles (Doğramacı, 2025).
Psychological Well-Being and Conscious Screen Use
Research indicates that phone and social media addiction increase depressive symptoms, whereas a stronger sense of fulfillment reduces the tendency toward excessive phone use (Karaköse, 2019). To enhance fulfillment, individuals can increase time dedicated to themselves through exercise, effective rest, and hobbies.
Limiting digital exposure and choosing content that supports long-term learning during designated screen time can mitigate dopamine-driven habits. Digital routines shaped by dopamine cycles can quietly erode attention, cognitive depth, and psychological well-being if left unexamined.
Therefore, the issue is not rejecting technology but understanding its impact on the human mind and creating intentional spaces for conscious use.
References
Sağlam, A., Özdemir, B., Ciğerim, L., İnci, K., Kaplan, V., Öztürk, B., Köksoy, H., Tokgün, O., Demirdağ, H., Seyhan, S., Şahin, C., Güzel, D., Tanyeli, A., Kalfa, Z., Yalım, H. (2019). Akademic Researches in Health Sciences. Gece Akademi Yayınları.
Sayın, A. (2008). Dopamin Reseptörleri ve Sinyal İletim Özellikleri. Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi, 11, 125–134.
Kürtünlü, R., & Ilgaz Büyükbaykal, C. (2025). Dijital Teknolojilerle Dijital Bağımlılık Arasındaki İlişkinin Boyutları. Uluslararası Akademik Birikim Dergisi, 8(2), 247–255.
Doğramacı, M. (2025). Sosyal Medya Anksiyetesinin Öncüllerinin İncelenmesi: Stres Gerilme-Sonuç Çerçevesini Kullanan Ampirik Bir Çalışma (Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Sakarya Üniversitesi).
Karaköse, B. (2019). Üniversite Öğrencilerindeki Akıllı Telefon Bağımlılığının Yaşam Doyumu ve Depresyon Açısından İncelenmesi (Yüksek Lisans Tezi, İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi).