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Addictive Design

Addictive Design

In order to help users better control their media consumption, ALIA has gathered information and practical tips on the topic of “Addictive Design.”

Here, you will find all the materials provided by ALIA.

What is meant by "Addictive Design"?

Addictive design is deliberately created to capture our attention, stimulate our interaction, and keep us online for as long as possible, with the aim of showing us as many advertisements as possible.

Designed to be addictive? We spend more time in front of our screens than we intend to. One key reason? The design. Addictive design is intentionally crafted to capture our attention, encourage interaction, and keep us online as long as possible. The goal? To show us as many ads as possible. But what’s really behind it? Designed to be addictive? We spend more time in front of our screens than we intend to. One key reason? The design. Addictive design is intentionally crafted to capture our attention, encourage interaction, and keep us online as long as possible. The goal? To show us as many ads as possible. But what’s really behind it?
Mechanisms such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and notifications play a key role. They not only influence our behavior but also make impulse control harder. Over time, reaching for the smartphone becomes a reflex. Simple time limits or blocking apps can only interrupt this habit temporarily while the impulse remains. Going “cold turkey” can even backfire, intensifying cravings because the impulse isn’t consciously regulated—only suppressed. So, how much control do we really have? Mechanisms such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and notifications play a key role. They not only influence our behavior but also make impulse control harder. Over time, reaching for the smartphone becomes a reflex. Simple time limits or blocking apps can only interrupt this habit temporarily while the impulse remains. Going “cold turkey” can even backfire, intensifying cravings because the impulse isn’t consciously regulated—only suppressed. So, how much control do we really have?
Victims of digital asymmetry. Platforms are testing new features directly on users and optimize them based on our reactions—often without our knowledge nor our consent. They rarely explain how these features affect us. Also, they don’t inform us about alternative settings or intentionally make them difficult to access. More control through conscious choices. Victims of digital asymmetry. Platforms are testing new features directly on users and optimize them based on our reactions—often without our knowledge nor our consent. They rarely explain how these features affect us. Also, they don’t inform us about alternative settings or intentionally make them difficult to access. More control through conscious choices.
Chronological feed instead of algorithms. We engage longer and more intensely with emotionally charged content—whether positive or negative. Algorithms precisely analyze our reactions and feed us content that constantly stimulates our brain and keeps us glued to the screen. Choose to see posts in the order they were published. This way, you... • know when to stop scrolling because you recognize what’s new and what you’ve already seen. • can find interesting posts again, even after refreshing the page. • decide for yourself what’s relevant, as all posts are displayed. Chronological feed instead of algorithms. We engage longer and more intensely with emotionally charged content—whether positive or negative. Algorithms precisely analyze our reactions and feed us content that constantly stimulates our brain and keeps us glued to the screen. Choose to see posts in the order they were published. This way, you... • know when to stop scrolling because you recognize what’s new and what you’ve already seen. • can find interesting posts again, even after refreshing the page. • decide for yourself what’s relevant, as all posts are displayed.
Group notifications. We instinctively react to sudden stimuli because of our survival instinct. Notifications exploit this: sounds, vibrations, or screen flashes stimulate multiple senses at once. Avoid constant distractions by: • receiving notifications in scheduled summaries instead of being notified continuously. • hiding the notification content (e.g., no banner or preview, only a badge count). • restricting notifications to specific apps or contacts. Group notifications. We instinctively react to sudden stimuli because of our survival instinct. Notifications exploit this: sounds, vibrations, or screen flashes stimulate multiple senses at once. Avoid constant distractions by: • receiving notifications in scheduled summaries instead of being notified continuously. • hiding the notification content (e.g., no banner or preview, only a badge count). • restricting notifications to specific apps or contacts.
Reduce visual triggers. Our brain releases dopamine when we receive a message or see a video we like. Over time, we associate visual cues—such as notifications or app icons—with this positive experience. As a result, our brain reacts to these signals before we even open the content. Avoid these triggers by: • activating grayscale mode: Colors lose their signaling effect, which often drives impulsive actions (for example, the colour red means danger and this means urgency). • removing distracting apps from the home screen or placing them in a separate folder. Reduce visual triggers. Our brain releases dopamine when we receive a message or see a video we like. Over time, we associate visual cues—such as notifications or app icons—with this positive experience. As a result, our brain reacts to these signals before we even open the content. Avoid these triggers by: • activating grayscale mode: Colors lose their signaling effect, which often drives impulsive actions (for example, the colour red means danger and this means urgency). • removing distracting apps from the home screen or placing them in a separate folder.
Change habits and share them. We encourage each other to stay online. Social needs, curiosity, or the fear of missing out (FOMO) push us to always be available and to respond immediately. Blue checkmarks, online status, and typing indicators add pressure. Inform your contacts about your new habits. This provides: • stronger commitment that helps you stick to your goals. • motivation through shared rules or challenges. • distractions and social interactions you’d otherwise seek online. • the opportunity to replace negative habits with new, shared activities. Change habits and share them. We encourage each other to stay online. Social needs, curiosity, or the fear of missing out (FOMO) push us to always be available and to respond immediately. Blue checkmarks, online status, and typing indicators add pressure. Inform your contacts about your new habits. This provides: • stronger commitment that helps you stick to your goals. • motivation through shared rules or challenges. • distractions and social interactions you’d otherwise seek online. • the opportunity to replace negative habits with new, shared activities.
Decide consciously instead of consuming passively. Default settings, autoplay, infinite scrolling, hidden navigation elements, and missing time indicators make it harder to regulate our consumption. The result? Passive consumption and binge-watching. Take back control by: • reflecting on why you're on your phone (boredom, frustration, distraction?). • setting clear intentions: What exactly are you looking for or planning to do? • choosing what you consume (e.g., through personal watchlists, notes, or bookmarks). • consciously spending your time with activities that inspire or relax you. Decide consciously instead of consuming passively. Default settings, autoplay, infinite scrolling, hidden navigation elements, and missing time indicators make it harder to regulate our consumption. The result? Passive consumption and binge-watching. Take back control by: • reflecting on why you're on your phone (boredom, frustration, distraction?). • setting clear intentions: What exactly are you looking for or planning to do? • choosing what you consume (e.g., through personal watchlists, notes, or bookmarks). • consciously spending your time with activities that inspire or relax you.
What is fair design? At its core, user well-being comes first. Fair design: • creates transparency about psychological mechanisms in digital applications, the goals behind them, and how user data is handled. • avoids addictive mechanisms and supports conscious use through time limits, reminders for breaks, and offline activities. • tests new features for potential risks—especially for children and adolescents—before launching them and adjusts them if necessary. • provides in-app educational measures that address risks and promote self-control and healthy digital habits. What is fair design? At its core, user well-being comes first. Fair design: • creates transparency about psychological mechanisms in digital applications, the goals behind them, and how user data is handled. • avoids addictive mechanisms and supports conscious use through time limits, reminders for breaks, and offline activities. • tests new features for potential risks—especially for children and adolescents—before launching them and adjusts them if necessary. • provides in-app educational measures that address risks and promote self-control and healthy digital habits.