Scrolling on social media has undeniably become a part of students’ everyday lives: during breaks between classes, study sessions alone or with friends, and even during an ongoing lecture, we are constantly bringing out our phones and opening apps that “cure” our boredom.
Our attention spans are constantly being sabotaged by doom scrolling on apps that feed us short-form content, interrupting the flow of students studying or paying attention to their lectures.
Over time, these seemingly small gestures add up and become a habit. With each interruption, a student’s concentration is broken, meaning it becomes harder for students to understand and retain information.
It’s gotten to a point where professors need to enforce a no-phone policy within their classrooms, and even then, students will try to find ways past these restrictions to briefly check their devices.
Separating the temptation of doom scrolling on social media from academic success has become increasingly difficult. However, this doesn’t mean that making small changes in our studying routines, classroom habits and outside habits to prevent this from happening can’t make a noticeable difference.
Instead of consuming short-term media such as reels or “watch and scroll” content while studying or doing homework, students should put on some sort of background noise or find more productive alternatives to the addictive content on social media.
Some professors at LBCC offer educational videos that can be found through their Canvas modules, such as their recorded lectures.
One example of more educational media is Crash Course, which provides an informative and entertaining alternative for students to sink their teeth into. Students can play these while working on or studying material for the class.
Additionally, video essays can also serve as a healthier form of media compared to the negative impact short content would make to the students’ attention span.
Consuming too much “watch and scroll” content will train a student’s brain to switch attention quickly, while long forms of media will train the brain to sustain attention to a singular topic.
The Research Archive of Rising Scholars found that long-form content fosters greater emotional health, longer attention spans, and promotes emotional regulation.
The issue here is not electronic devices themselves, but the pull of social media and how students choose to use it.
In March of 2026, Meta and YouTube were sued for designing features to be intentionally addictive and found liable.
Because of this, many students are drawn into social media addiction, with it becoming an irresistible pull from their schoolwork.
This pull has become an obstacle in everyday lives to the point that when students open an app like TikTok, they don’t even realize that they’re drifting off from the material in front of them.
As digital distractions continue to grow, students need to be aware of their social media habits and content intake. Choosing when it’s time to step away from the short-form content and creating new habits accordingly can have a real impact on academic performance.
