Quick summary: New research links binge-scrolling to problematic smartphone and social media use, with fear of missing out identified as a key psychological mechanism driving the shift from habitual scrolling to compulsive digital behaviour. The study found that loss of control over scrolling was the strongest indicator of problematic use, with platform features such as infinite scroll feeds contributing to diminished self-regulation. Clinicians and digital well-being practitioners are urged to treat binge-scrolling as an early warning sign, intervening before patterns become harder to address.
Most people have experienced the unsettling realisation that an hour has passed while scrolling through short videos or social media feeds, with no clear memory of deciding to start. New research suggests this behaviour, known as binge-scrolling, is not merely a harmless habit but may be a meaningful early indicator of problematic technology use. The findings were published in Behavioral Sciences.
A study involving 428 adults in the US found that binge-scrolling was positively associated with both problematic smartphone use (PSU) and problematic social media use (PSMU). Researchers from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Cincinnati used Structural Equation Modelling to test two theoretical models, examining whether fear of missing out (FOMO) played a connecting role between binge-scrolling and these problematic patterns of use.
The findings confirmed that it does. FOMO was found to mediate the relationship between binge-scrolling and both forms of problematic technology use, suggesting that the anxiety of missing out on social experiences serves as a psychological bridge between mindless scrolling and more compulsive digital behaviour.
Dr Barry K. Herman, chief medical officer at Mentavi Health and a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 30 years of clinical experience, said the results reflect what practitioners regularly observe. “FOMO can create a powerful feedback loop. Individuals may feel compelled to repeatedly check social media to stay informed, connected, or reassured that they are not missing important information or experiences. Over time, this can contribute to compulsive patterns of smartphone and social media use, particularly among individuals who are already vulnerable to impulsive or reward-seeking behaviours.”
Binge-scrolling was defined across three dimensions: automatic scrolling, in which people scroll out of habit with no clear purpose; loss of control, in which they find it difficult to stop; and negative outcomes, which include effects on sleep, attention, and emotional well-being. All three dimensions contributed to a higher-order construct that the researchers examined as a whole.
The study was grounded in compensatory internet use theory, which holds that people often turn to technology not because it is inherently addictive, but as a way of managing negative emotions or unmet psychological needs. Under this framework, binge-scrolling may begin as a coping mechanism but, amplified by FOMO, can escalate into patterns that disrupt daily functioning.
Dr Wilfred van Gorp, a board-certified neuropsychologist and director of Cognitive Assessment Group, offered a neurological perspective on why the behaviour is so difficult to interrupt. “Binge scrolling gets its hooks in because it trains our reward system to crave interruption over focus. Dopamine is the chemical most people link to pleasure, but it is really a signal for anticipation. Every pull-to-refresh, every notification badge, every surprise ‘like’ fires a small hit that tells the brain to do it again.”
The researchers noted that the loss of control dimension showed particularly strong associations across both models, suggesting that the perceived inability to regulate scrolling behaviour may be a central feature of how binge-scrolling connects to problematic use. Platform design features such as infinite scroll feeds were cited as likely contributors to this diminished sense of control.
Dr Herman added that early signs are often more telling than raw screen time figures. “Warning signs can include difficulty reducing use despite repeated attempts, feeling anxious or irritable when unable to access social media, neglecting responsibilities, or spending more time online than originally intended.”
The study had several limitations. Its cross-sectional design means causality cannot be established, and the sample was predominantly White and English-speaking, which may affect how broadly the findings apply. The use of self-report measures also introduces the possibility of social desirability bias.
Despite these limitations, the researchers suggest that identifying binge-scrolling early could help clinicians and digital well-being practitioners intervene before patterns become entrenched. Future longitudinal research is needed to confirm the direction of these relationships over time.
