In today’s digital age, many turn to multiple platforms like YouTube and Instagram to stave off boredom. However, a new research featuring a series of studies reveals that frequently switching between digital content might actually worsen boredom. This study found a bidirectional, causal relationship between boredom and “digital switching,” where people rapidly skip through videos for stimulation.
In the first study, 140 individuals were exposed to both interesting and boring videos and allowed to skip between them. Results showed that boredom led to more frequent switching. In the second study, 231 undergraduates predicted their boredom and satisfaction in switching versus no-switching conditions. Participants believed switching would reduce boredom, a misconception debunked in the third study where actual video content showed higher boredom in the switching condition.
The fourth study, with 166 undergraduates, showed higher boredom when participants could skip within a single video. The fifth study, involving 174 undergraduates in a naturalistic YouTube setting, confirmed that more freedom to switch still led to increased boredom.
The sixth study extended to reading online articles, showing mixed results but overall suggested that starting with a no-switching condition reduced boredom. The seventh study, involving 175 volunteers explored the concept of opportunity cost during switching. It showed that switching raised perceived opportunity costs and boredom.
Across these studies, digital switching, intended to escape boredom, actually intensified it. Participants’ beliefs that switching would alleviate boredom were contradicted by their actual experiences.
The historical increase in boredom among young people is concerning, given its links to negative mental health outcomes. The cause is likely the combination of being in a world where there are so many factors fighting for their attention and excitement compounded by their uncontrolled need to constantly want better stimulation.
It is important to teach ourselves and our children to learn to love the moment as it is, and not constantly chase after a better entertainment, a better feeling or emotion, or a better experience. Instead, it is better to sit and experience fully the one thing your are experiencing in the moment whether pleasant or unpleasant as this may be where true joy lies.
K Tam and M Inzlicht. Fast-forward to boredom: How switching behaviour on digital media makes people more bored.
