Can Technology Really Hijack Your Mind? Here’s What a Decade of Science Says

The hidden design tricks behind our scrolling habits and how to break free.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

We like to think we’re in control. We think that when we open Instagram, YouTube, or Netflix, we’re choosing what to do, what to watch, and when to stop.

But over the past decade, research has revealed that we’re not nearly as free as we believe.

Modern technology doesn’t just grab our attention; it guides it. From infinite scroll to notification badges, every pixel is engineered to exploit ancient instincts, whether it’s curiosity, belonging, or fear.

The very things that once helped us survive are now being used to keep us hooked. And it works.

Studies show we check our phones hundreds of times a day, spend nearly a third of our waking hours on screens, and still tell ourselves it’s “just for a minute.”

Is this about weak willpower? No, it’s about powerful design.

Here’s what science has uncovered about how technology hijacks our minds and what to take it back.

1. The Illusion of Choice

We like to think that every time we open an app, we’re making our own choices about…