Fast-forward to boredom: How switching behavior on digital media makes people more bored.

Abstract

People often switch between videos and fast-forward through them on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Netflix. We show that people consume media this way to avoid boredom. However, this switching behavior makes people feel more bored, less satisfied, less engaged, and less meaningful in some instances. Our results provide valuable insights on how to consume digital media in a more adaptive and enjoyable manner in everyday life. Enjoyment may be better attained by immersing oneself in videos rather than swiping through them. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)