Why Tiktok Is So Addictive (Science Explained) :
In this blog we are going to talk about why tiktok is so addictive . Tiktok started in 2016 and in just a few years it's get over one billion users . It converted from niche Chinese app to a global phenomenon . What started as a lip syncing video has evolved into a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem that dominates the social media and it is famous between the Gen Z . Now the question is what makes tiktok extraordinary addictive ?
There are many reasons for why tiktok is so addictive - Tiktok is a sophisticated combination of technological design , psychological principals , algorithmic excellence and social dynamics that works together and engage users for hours on end . Tiktok reshaped how people consume content , communicate and even think . I already tell you that it was a started as short video content but it is now one of the most addictive social platform because of it's addictive nature . To understand why tiktok is now most addictive platform we need to know that tiktok is build on neuroscience concept known as dopamine reward system. Dopamine is a chemical which plays a critical role on motivation , learning and habit information. It released in our brain when we experience something pleasurable and rewarding . In tiktok when you watch a funny video or find something interesting , or emotionally stimulated in that time our brain release a small amount of dopamine . And our brain wants to taste pleasure or that reward again and try to repeat things . Tiktok also deliver you this kind of small bursts continuously , creating a loop where our brain try to keep seeking rewards .
In tiktok it use a advanced artificial intelligence system and it has designed like that from other social platforms . It tracks your behaviour which type of video do you watch , in which video you comment , you like or skip . Within a very short time , it builds a highly personalised feed known as the 'For you page' in this you will show your all interest and relevant things . It specially tailored for you the more you use tiktok it betters understand you and the more hard to stop scrolling because the content almost perfectly designed for your preferences .
It is not for the old users but also new users many new users feels that tiktok giving them their favourite or relevant content even of using it a few hours . It's like tiktok give you a gift specially designed for you .
Tiktok use a trick from psychology which casinos use in slots machine the trick is called "variable reward schedule" . Here how it works , suppose you are playing a slot machine in casino in that you don't know what will be the reward sometimes you get a small one , sometimes nothing and sometimes you win a big one . As you don't know what will you get , so you keep playing for a big reward .
Tiktok also play the same game when use tiktok , I already tell you about that it track your favourite videos and send it to you . You watch one video that is normal , you watch another video what is not favourable for you but you like it , and you watch another video which is an amazing video that you like so much make a comment . It is the same algorithm . You don't know what will be the next video , if it will amazing or unexpected or something that you really like . Your brain keep scrolling for the next coming amazing video , because your brain release dopamine . Dopamine is not release when you get a reward it is released when you expect for a reward . And the one more video become one hour of scrolling .
When you see a youtube video it's give you a time to pause . Because youtube videos are commit to watch videos . You see the thumbnail and decide you wanna watch the video or not . So , when you finishes a youtube video , you have the time to decide if you wanna watch one more video or do other work . But in Tiktok it is different . Because Tiktok is a platform where are not commit to watch videos.
You just need to flick your fingers and the next video .
It make you lost , the moment when you lost it calls 'flow state' . In this state you stop to think about time , how many videos you watch or how much time you spend in tiktok . You keep watching because you need to scroll for watch another video and it is easy for you to watch .
Also there is a psychological trick called "sunk cost". In that case you feel you have already spend much time watching tiktok videos , so , it is feel wasteful to stop watching . You keep watch , thinking that maybe the next video will be more better .
You will notice that every tiktok video you will see the numbers of likes , comment and how many people share the video . It is very important to see the numbers for users .
For people , who watch a videos of millions of like and share you will thought maybe lot of people think this video is good , so the video will be good and it will become important for you and you watch the video . That makes you watch video .
For people who making videos these numbers are like a game score . When a creator make a video and gets some likes and comments on it , it's inspire him/her to make more videos . They also obsessed with that and they want to see how many people like my video , or comment , for this they visit the app again and again . It becomes addictive and they stay on the app for a long time for see the numbers .
Also people who comment on the videos you will see there many people's conversation between them instead of comment on the video . It feels like a community and you also want to join the community and visit the app to see who comment in this video if i know him ? if i know him , what did he comment in the video . It is a big addiction .
In Tiktok there is an another psychological trick which called FOMO(Fear of Missing Out) in TikTok you will see a new trend and go so quickly . If a sound become viral everyone make video using that sound . If you a script get viral everyone make video with it . Trends are here and go , trends are not long lasting . So, if you one friend in your group who don't use tiktok and you and other friend talk about a tiktok trend he will no understand what are you talking about or in your school your friends talking about a tiktok trend which is week old , and you didn't visit tiktok for a week , you will feel that you missed something . This is a fun among your friend who are talking about the trend but you can't participate in that joy because you don't about the trend , that makes you stay inside the tiktok for looking for a new trend .
Thanks for reading this blog no for today We will meet in the next blog . Make sure make a comment .