Psychological Needs Behind Endless Phone Scrolling: The Truth About Internet Addiction

Psychological Needs Behind Endless Phone Scrolling: The Truth About Internet Addiction

When we accuse ourselves of internet addiction, psychologists' research reveals a more complex truth: problematic internet behavior doesn't equal true addiction. Most so-called internet addiction problems are individuals' active choices and self-help strategies attempting to satisfy deep psychological needs in virtual worlds.

Limitations of Traditional Views

Traditional views often borrow substance addiction models defining internet addiction, but authors point out logical flaws. Taking "cyberchondria" as example, such patients repeatedly search health-related information, showing addiction-like features, but root cause is health anxiety - treatment focus should be managing anxiety rather than blocking internet use.

Similarly, gaming addiction may stem from real-life frustrations, obsessive social media scrolling may be triggered by loneliness, conspiracy theory spreading may reflect uncertainty fears. These all appear as internet addiction, but behaviors have vastly different motivations.

Motivational Psychology Perspective

The motivational framework's core: internet isn't tool but "stage for psychological needs." Contemporary people already view internet as "second living space" where every follow, like, share externalizes psychological motives.

Self-determination theory proposes three basic needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These three form key coordinates understanding internet behavior. Research shows when these needs are frustrated in reality, individuals turn to internet for compensation.

Psychological Needs in Online Gaming

In online gaming, research finds "out-of-control achievers" gain competence missing in reality, like work-frustrated people becoming gaming masters; "out-of-control escapers" use games numbing real pain, like socially anxious people hiding in virtual worlds; while "hardcore gamers" investing much time may have no psychological issues - pure passion can sustain long-term engagement.

Psychological Needs in Social Media

In social media, analysis reveals some scroll feeds relieving loneliness, some seek likes boosting confidence, others create "perfect personas" compensating real-life powerlessness.

Some extreme cases: paper mentions woman with childhood trauma becoming "healing mage" in games, satisfying unexpressed care desires by saving teammates; man betrayed by girlfriend turning to dating apps playing "dominant pursuer," attempting regain control in virtual relationships. These behaviors seem pathological but actually use unconventional methods attempting repair psychological wounds.

Clinical Value of Motivational Perspective

Motivational perspective's clinical value lies in "de-labeling." When seeing someone scrolling phone 6 hours daily, key question isn't "are they addicted uncontrollably?" but "what does internet provide that reality lacks?"

People addicted to horror games may be venting suppressed aggression. Constantly changing profile pictures may seek ideal self-identity. 24/7 knowledge community immersion may mask anxiety with "false fulfillment."

This analytical approach avoids "demonizing" internet environment, focusing instead on internal states. Problem isn't internet itself but how users employ it coping with psychological difficulties.

Practical Psychology Suggestions

1. Beware "self-diagnosing addiction": Next time wanting blame yourself for "internet addiction," ask: "What need am I trying satisfying now? What reality aspects make me want escaping?"

2. Create "motivation-behavior" diary: Record triggers for impulsive internet use, gradually identifying psychological triggers.

3. Design "alternative satisfaction solutions": If discovering social media scrolling stems from loneliness, meet friends offline; if gaming provides achievement, try learning new skills.

4. Practice "need translation": When wanting open apps, pause 3 seconds, translate behavior motives into need-containing statements.

Of course, this paper doesn't deny internet addiction's existence. When addictive behaviors severely impair real-life functioning with purely physiological cravings, professional intervention remains necessary. But for most people, understanding motivations may be first step escaping difficulties.