Why You Can't Stop Scrolling on Your Phone

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-06-09

We grab our smartphones hundreds of times a day. But when does that habit become a problem? In this episode of Ondernemerspraat, we talk with Yasmin Vantuykom, an entrepreneur, author, and former founder of influencer agency Efluenz. After years building a business around social media, she took a different path with Quyet and her new book Scrollaholics, which exposes our addictive relationship with screens. ### The Brain on Notifications Every ping and buzz triggers a tiny dopamine hit in your brain. That's by design. Tech companies engineer notifications to keep you hooked. Yasmin explains how this constant stimulation rewires your neural pathways, making it harder to focus on anything else. You're not weak—you're up against billion-dollar algorithms.  ### Physical and Mental Toll Staring at a screen for hours does more than drain your battery. It strains your eyes, messes with your sleep, and can even cause neck pain from hunching over your phone. Mentally, it fuels anxiety and FOMO (fear of missing out). Yasmin shares her own struggles as a "digital addict" and how she broke free. ### Practical Tips to Cut Screen Time Yasmin doesn't believe in strict rules. Instead, she offers simple, sustainable changes: - Turn off all non-essential notifications. - Set a timer for social media apps. - Replace scrolling with a quick walk or reading a physical book. - Keep your phone out of the bedroom. These small shifts can make a big difference. You don't need to go cold turkey—just start with one change today. ### Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs As a business owner, your attention is your most valuable asset. Every minute spent scrolling is a minute you could be building your brand, connecting with customers, or refining your strategy. Yasmin's journey shows that stepping back from screens can actually boost your creativity and productivity. This podcast is an initiative of Creatic. We help small and medium businesses build their digital presence with strong branding, thoughtful marketing, and high-performing websites. From brand strategy and visual identity to a website that delivers results: we ensure your business grows online in a visible and recognizable way. Curious what we can do for your business? Discover more at [www.creatic.be](http://www.creatic.be) (nofollow).