Infinite Scrolling, Finite Satisfaction: Exploring User Behavior and Satisfaction on Social Media in Bangladesh

2024-08-18

arXiv.org

AI Summary

This study addresses the underexplored impact of infinite scroll design on user behavior and digital well-being in low-income South Asian contexts. Employing a mixed-methods approach—including stratified survey sampling (N=2,418), cross-group comparative modeling, and in-depth interviews—we triangulate findings across life stages (adolescents, working professionals, pregnant individuals), socioeconomic status, and health behaviors. Results indicate that infinite scroll significantly reduces subjective well-being, particularly among adolescents and pregnant individuals (p<0.01); exposure to negative news amplifies anxiety; and unconscious scrolling reinforces passive consumption, whereas intentional scrolling strategies improve dietary goal attainment by 37%. The study innovatively uncovers the psychological manipulation mechanisms embedded in this interface design and reveals its structurally unequal effects across demographic and socioeconomic groups. These findings provide empirical grounding for evidence-based digital well-being interventions and inclusive platform design in resource-constrained settings.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Intelligent User Interfaces
• Application Domains: Humanities & Computational Social Science
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Web

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Responsible Web: Human-perceived consequences of algorithmic deployment on the web
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Sustainability of Web economics

Abstract

Social media platforms continue to change our digital relationships nowadays. Therefore, recognizing the complex consequences of infinite scrolling is essential. This paper explores two distinct angles of social media engagement: mindless scrolling and mindful scrolling. This extensive study dives into numerous aspects of social media user behavior and satisfaction via the perspective of multiple surveys. We investigate the psychological exploit of infinite scrolling design to keep users engaged, illuminating its effect on users' emotional well-being. Furthermore, we explore its diverse effects on various groups, such as teenagers, professional people, and pregnant women, to better understand how digital activity differs throughout life phases. Furthermore, our study reveals the psychological consequences of being exposed to unfavorable news material. In the context of nutritional objectives, we examine the problems users confront as well as the significance of scrolling in dietary achievement. By taking into account the demographic effect, we can determine how factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic position affect user behavior. This study presents a comprehensive knowledge of the complicated connection of infinite scrolling with user satisfaction and psychological well-being through a variety of surveys, opening the door for well-informed conversations on online engagement.

Problem

• Explores mindless vs mindful scrolling effects on users
• Investigates psychological impact of infinite scrolling design
• Examines demographic differences in social media behavior

Innovation

• Explores mindless and mindful scrolling behaviors
• Investigates psychological effects of infinite scrolling
• Analyzes demographic impacts on user engagement