Why you can't stop scrolling: the science of 'dark flow'
Jun 01, 2026•13 min•Ep. 1491
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Summary
Science journalist Michaeleen Doucleff explains how tech companies intentionally design apps to be highly addictive, a strategy rooted in the gambling industry's creation of the "machine zone." She details four "super glue" features—solitude, bottomlessness, speed, and teasing algorithms—that pull users into a detrimental "dark flow" state. The episode differentiates this from positive "classic flow" and provides practical advice, such as setting boundaries with streaming services and not carrying your phone around the house, to help listeners regain control over their screen time.Episode description
You pick up your phone to do one quick task, and suddenly 20 minutes have flown by without you even noticing. How do apps do that to you? Science journalist Michaeleen Doucleff felt like her phone had superglue on it, holding her on it for hours each day while draining her of time and energy. Turns out, that feeling isn’t accidental. In her new book, Dopamine Kids, Michaeleen describes four features that tech companies add to apps to keep us scrolling for as long as possible. She’s sharing this superglue recipe with Short Wave host Emily Kwong … and explaining how these features can pull people into what scientists call a ‘dark flow’ state.
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This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Jimmy Keeley.
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Interested in more tech and social media science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Jimmy Keeley.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
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