Why Do We Keep Scrolling Reels and Shorts? (Mindless Scrolling)

What is Mindless Scrolling?

Short-form videos like reels, shorts, and TikToks are designed to grab our attention. Have you ever opened an app “just for a minute” and found yourself still scrolling half an hour later? That’s mindless scrolling at work.Mindless scrolling happens when we keep swiping through content without a clear purpose. It feels effortless in the moment, but it has hidden costs:

Emotional numbness
Difficulty focusing and reduced attention span
Negative self-image (through constant comparison)
Poor sleep quality

The Dopamine Reinforcement Loop

So why is scrolling so addictive? It comes down to dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical.

Each swipe brings something new and unpredictable.
Most content may be boring, but occasionally you hit on something funny, exciting, or deeply relatable.
This unpredictable reward makes the brain release dopamine, pushing us to keep scrolling “just one more time.”
It’s very similar to gambling—most of the time nothing happens, but the chance of hitting the “jackpot video” keeps us hooked.

The Role of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Scrolling is also driven by FOMO. We worry that if we stop, we’ll miss something entertaining, important, or socially relevant. This fear keeps us in the cycle. Another powerful driver of mindless scrolling is FOMO—the fear of missing out. Social media constantly feeds us updates, trends, and highlights from other people’s lives. The fear sounds like this: “If I don’t keep checking, I’ll miss the funny video everyone’s sharing… the news story people are talking about… or the update in my friend group chat.”

This fear keeps us locked in the loop, because:

Content is endless. There’s always another post, story, or reel just a swipe away.
Trends move fast. Memes, challenges, or viral clips can feel outdated in just a day.
Social belonging matters. If others have seen something and we haven’t, we may feel left out or disconnected.

Why Do We Scroll More When Stressed?

When we’re bored, anxious, or stressed, scrolling offers quick distraction. It feels like an easy escape from uncomfortable emotions. The relief, however, is temporary. Over time, this habit can:

Weaken resilience by keeping us from practicing healthier coping skills
Numb emotions instead of helping us process them
Add stress later through guilt, wasted time, or poor sleep
Scrolling soothes in the moment, but it doesn’t solve the problem—it often makes it harder to face emotions head-on.

How to Reduce Mindless Scrolling

Breaking the cycle doesn’t mean quitting social media completely. Instead, the goal is intentional use:
Pause before opening: Ask yourself, Why am I opening this app right now?
Make apps less accessible: Hide them in folders or move them off your home screen.
Set limits: Use app timers or screen-time reminders.
Replace the habit: Try walking, journaling, stretching, or messaging a friend instead of defaulting to scrolling.

This article was authored by Alex Choi, a verified therapist in our network. Learn more about their expertise and approach below.

Alex Choi

Registered Social Worker (ON)MSW, RSW

About Stellocare

This insight comes from Stellocare, Canada’s trusted network of verified mental health professionals. Connect with our therapists today by asking our AI, browsing our list, or requesting a personal match from our social worker.