From mindless to mindful

Situation

Social media (SM) is a phenomenon that captures billions of users globally, with about 78% of the Swiss population participating. Stiff competition among SM networks has led to innovative developments aimed at capturing the users’ attention. In this project, we focus on infinite scroll (IS), a widely used design feature intended to engage people endlessly (e.g., scrolling through TikTok or Instagram). This triggers a flow state, where users lose track of time and continue engagement. Recent studies have shown that negative effects may include addictive behaviors, increased stress, and declining mental well-being. Traditional digital well-being tools, such as screen-time limits, impose rigid restrictions that fail to foster mindful interaction. Their high attrition rates stem from user frustration, as they block both excessive and beneficial use. Our research explores an alternative approach: micro-boundaries. Instead of restricting access altogether, we introduce small, micro delays in content loading to subtly interrupt the automatic scrolling rhythm. These brief pauses provide users with moments of reflection, promoting self-regulation while preserving user autonomy. Grounded in self-determination theory, our experimental study examines whether these design interventions can help users regain control over their social media habits. By measuring behavioral and emotional responses, we aim to assess the interventions impact on engagement and digital well-being.