Just Five More Minutes
Our phones have made it easier than ever to fall into a fantasy land of some kind—even if we don’t think so. If you’ve spent any time online, or even watched the news recently, you know just how bad screen time is among younger people, but don’t just assume that you’re exempt from the trap. Even apps designed for learning or exercising can encourage surprisingly obsessive habits, especially when daily streaks and rewards get involved. If your screen time’s looking a little high lately, here are 20 popular suspects you might want to look at.
1. TikTok
Well, if we were going to start with anything, it was obviously this guy. TikTok has become notorious for keeping us entertained far longer than we originally intended. It’s smart, too; it learns what you enjoy watching and goes out of its way to recommend new videos. It’s tailored to your interests and knows how to keep you locked in.
2. Instagram
What started as a photo-sharing platform has evolved into an app packed with Reels, Stories, and constantly updated feeds. Instagram's Explore page is obviously scrambling to keep ahead of TikTok, but that leaves you in the crossfire of two addictive apps desperate for your attention.
3. Duolingo
Learning Spanish or French sounds productive, but not if that little green owl has anything to say about it! Duolingo has turned language lessons into something that’s basically a competitive game. Daily streaks, experience points, and weekly leaderboards encourage you to complete lessons no matter what, and some people become so determined to protect their progress that maintaining their streak takes priority over actually learning new vocabulary.
4. Reddit
Reddit offers communities for practically every interest, so don’t be surprised if you open the app for one thing and fall into a completely different rabbit hole two hours later. The voting system and continuous stream of new posts make returning to favorite subreddits an easy habit to develop.
5. YouTube
YouTube's recommendation system works the same way other apps do: with a remarkable ability to turn a single video into an entire evening of entertainment. Watching a walkthrough of Elden Ring might lead to speedrunning documentaries, gaming controversies, and lengthy retrospectives about consoles you haven't owned in years. How could you look away when there’s constant scrolling to be done?
Christian Wiediger on Unsplash
6. Snapchat
Don’t just assume that Snapchat came and went with the wind. It isn’t just for greasy guys off dating sites, either. Snapchat still gives users plenty of reasons to check their phones throughout the day, but its Snapstreak feature is especially effective at encouraging daily engagement. Add disappearing messages, group conversations, and constantly updated Stories, and the pressure to stay connected is pretty high.
7. Roblox
Roblox is a lot more than a video game. It comes with an enormous collection of user-created experiences that range from obstacle courses to elaborate role-playing communities. And since there's always another experience to discover, younger players in particular struggle to recognize when they've actually played enough.
Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash
8. Discord
For gamers who enjoy staying connected with their communities, Discord is practically a permanent fixture in their routine. Dedicated servers bust their humps to build text channels, encourage voice conversations, and maintain announcements of their favorite games. Even when you're nowhere near your computer, notifications can tempt you to check back in.
9. Candy Crush Saga
It might sound insane, but those candy pieces have hooked people for years now—and it’s not going anywhere. Limited lives, special boosters, and thousands of stages give you plenty of reasons to return after an unsuccessful attempt. The biggest hurdle is trying not to spend real money for in-game lives.
10. Pinterest
Pinterest might seem relatively harmless, but its endless collection of so-called inspiration can eat away at your time. Whether you’re in the market for bedroom decorations or ugly Christmas sweaters, personalized recommendations make discovering new ideas effortless. Organizing boards offer another reason to continue browsing, too.
11. Monopoly GO!
Monopoly GO! Is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s an app that transforms the familiar board game into a mobile experience. It’s a lot less stressful than the real thing—and a lot more addictive. Players regularly return to use replenished dice rolls, complete sticker albums, and compete in tournaments with other users. Its frequent events and opportunities to earn even more rewards only add to the FOMO.
12. Twitch
Twitch has built thriving communities around live entertainment, and though watching streamers isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into a superfan. Popular streamers host lengthy broadcasts featuring competitive matches, casual conversations, and interactive moments where viewers can participate through chat. Because streams happen in real time, fans also stay online longer than planned to avoid missing anything.
Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash
13. Spotify
Wait—a music app can encourage addictive behavior? Weirdly, yes! Music lovers can spend an impressive amount of time on Spotify without actually listening to an album from start to finish. Personalized playlists alongside recommendations and new releases keep users continually searching for their next favorite artist. The Spotify Wrapped feature has also become a phenomenon all on its own.
14. Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO is still kicking, and it still gives players a reason to explore their neighborhoods. Make no mistake; the hype didn’t die down, especially with daily bonuses and limited opportunities to catch certain Pokémon keeping today’s users hooked. Community Days can become especially demanding for collectors who don't want to miss their chance at finding a rare Shiny Pokémon.
15. Temu
Temu is hard for bargain-hunters to ignore. If anything, it seems like a treasure trove of inexpensive products, personalized suggestions, and promotional offers. But all that does is burn through your time and money. Flash deals and promotional countdowns also create a sense of urgency.
16. Strava
Though fitness tracking seems like a healthy habit, Strava introduces a competitive element that can make exercising weirdly intense. Users can compare their performances on local cycling and running segments, earn achievements, and receive kudos from friends after posting activities. For anyone with a competitive side, besting a record or climbing a leaderboard can quickly turn into an ongoing obsession.
17. Netflix
Netflix may be losing the rat race, but it’s far from an ancient relic. It has spent years making marathon viewing sessions incredibly convenient with auto-play, so a viewer planning to watch one episode of Stranger Things might continue through several more simply because the next installment starts instantly. Cliffhangers and the availability of entire seasons make resisting another episode even more challenging.
18. Letterboxd
Movie enthusiasts have turned Letterboxd into a hub for recording everything they've watched and discovering what other film fans think. It’s easier than you think to spend hours combing through it! For some dedicated members, completing a personal watchlist or collecting enough films for an annual goal is as entertaining as the movies themselves.
19. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is…more dangerous than we give it credit for. In today’s world, these chatbots do basically everything, including offering “friendship” or “advice.” Users might begin by asking for help with an email before spending longer exploring hypothetical scenarios, generating stories, or discussing their favorite games. Sadly, because conversations can move so quickly between unlimited subjects, it's easy for casual curiosity to develop into lengthy sessions.
20. Depop
Depop is sort of a twofer for addictive apps—it combines secondhand shopping with social features. That means you can search for vintage jackets or unusual accessories while liking products and following sellers whose collections appeal to you. Those secondhand pieces are often available in limited quantities, too, so users obsess over listings to ensure they can still get their hands on something.
