Psychology Today | 08.05.2026 04:59
A young man comes home after a long day feeling tired, unnoticed, and somewhat disconnected. He tells himself he will check his phone for only a few minutes. A friend has liked his post. A short video makes him laugh. Then he sees others who seem more successful, more attractive, and more socially included. He checks whether anyone has replied to his message. He scrolls again. For a moment, he feels connected and stimulated. A few minutes later, he feels restless, compared, and strangely emptier than before. Still, he keeps checking.
