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The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age
Abstract
This study explores Instagram addiction through the lens of the ‘Scrolling Paradox’ - the contradictory phenomenon where users simultaneously derive pleasure from Instagram's infinite scroll feature while experiencing distress from their inability to control engagement. By analyzing 28,434 user-generated entries through sentiment analysis and thematic coding, this research examines how platform design features interact with psychological vulnerabilities like social comparison and FOMO to foster compulsive use. Findings reveal that Instagram's design significantly drives behaviors such as time distortion, compulsive checking, and validation seeking, with infinite scrolling emerging as the primary mechanism underlying addictive patterns. Current interventions, like screen time management, are moderately effective, while mindfulness-based strategies show greater promise in addressing the underlying psychological factors that perpetuate the Scrolling Paradox. This research offers insights into how Instagram addiction develops and suggests more effective, emotionally-focused intervention strategies that acknowledge both the appeal and the problems inherent in infinite scroll design.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
In this research article, ethics committee permission was not required as the data were not obtained using survey or interview techniques.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Youth Sociology , Communication Sociology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
September 28, 2025
Submission Date
April 27, 2025
Acceptance Date
June 4, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Number: Yeni Medya Çalışmaları
APA
Balcıoğlu, Y. S., Bayraktar, Ü., & Güven, E. (2025). The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age. İmgelem, Yeni Medya Çalışmaları, 87-112. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1685011
AMA
1.Balcıoğlu YS, Bayraktar Ü, Güven E. The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age. İMGELEM. 2025;(Yeni Medya Çalışmaları):87-112. doi:10.53791/imgelem.1685011
Chicago
Balcıoğlu, Yavuz Selim, Ümit Bayraktar, and Ejder Güven. 2025. “The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age”. İmgelem, no. Yeni Medya Çalışmaları: 87-112. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1685011.
EndNote
Balcıoğlu YS, Bayraktar Ü, Güven E (September 1, 2025) The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age. İmgelem Yeni Medya Çalışmaları 87–112.
IEEE
[1]Y. S. Balcıoğlu, Ü. Bayraktar, and E. Güven, “The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age”, İMGELEM, no. Yeni Medya Çalışmaları, pp. 87–112, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.53791/imgelem.1685011.
ISNAD
Balcıoğlu, Yavuz Selim - Bayraktar, Ümit - Güven, Ejder. “The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age”. İmgelem. Yeni Medya Çalışmaları (September 1, 2025): 87-112. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1685011.
JAMA
1.Balcıoğlu YS, Bayraktar Ü, Güven E. The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age. İMGELEM. 2025;:87–112.
MLA
Balcıoğlu, Yavuz Selim, et al. “The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age”. İmgelem, no. Yeni Medya Çalışmaları, Sept. 2025, pp. 87-112, doi:10.53791/imgelem.1685011.
Vancouver
1.Yavuz Selim Balcıoğlu, Ümit Bayraktar, Ejder Güven. The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age. İMGELEM. 2025 Sep. 1;(Yeni Medya Çalışmaları):87-112. doi:10.53791/imgelem.1685011