Digital Overuse in Pakistan: Understanding the Mental, Social, Spiritual, and Physical Consequences of Mindless Scrolling

Abstract

Mindless scrolling, defined as the passive and purposeless consumption of digital content, has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. While its psychological and social consequences have been documented, less attention has been given to its impact on spiritual practices and cultural contexts. This study explored the mental, social, spiritual, and physical effects of mindless scrolling in Pakistan using a mixed-methods design. Survey data were collected from 57 participants (mean age = 21.4 years, 68% female) and complemented with in-depth qualitative interviews. The results showed that a majority engaged in purposeless scrolling, with late-night use strongly associated with fatigue, impaired focus, and disrupted sleep. Significant proportions also reported delaying religious practices, experiencing social withdrawal, and suffering physical strain such as eye discomfort. Qualitative narratives provided deeper insight, revealing cases of disrupted lifelong religious habits, exposure of children to harmful content, and youths engaging in risk behaviors influenced by online material. These findings demonstrate that mindless scrolling is not a harmless habit but a multidimensional issue intersecting with faith, family, and wellbeing in Pakistani society. The study underscores the need for culturally grounded interventions—such as digital literacy programs, time-tracking tools, and faith-based reminders—to mitigate risks and promote intentional digital engagement