New Thrills: How Boredom Fuels Digital Entertainment
Everybody gets bored sometimes, and it is usually almost certain that we’re on our phones most of the time trying to find the solution to our boredom, as a psychiatrist is embedded in our cellular devices. Sometimes, we do find some relief, and other times, nothing really changes. It is not uncommon that people spend hours, going from app to app, searching for that one content that will elevate their emotions and somehow make them feel better.
This behaviour has been noticed by many companies, and most music platforms now create and market a playlist for those moments. This trend of companies taking advantage of the situation isn’t limited to the music industry. Even online sports betting companies understand that their products can boost your emotions when you’re feeling bored. This link between our emotions and digital entertainment is now becoming a real opportunity for different players in the market.
The Quest for Happiness
Nobody likes being bored. The feeling of boredom is honestly exhausting and uncomfortable. So, what do you do to elevate your emotions? Let me guess: you go online, try to find some music, games, or movies, and then just dive into the ones you find. Many agree that they literally only visit some sites or apps when they feel down, and that is because the content on those sites offers a promise of comfort and escape from their present emotional state.
The big question that stands out is, do people actually find what they are looking for? Because the companies that offer these digital entertainments do. They get a huge amount of followership due to the fact that somewhere on their app or site lies the promise of happiness, and that is what every person is looking for.
The Act of Digital Switching
You know those times when you keep going from one app to the other, moving from one website to a new one? It is called digital switching. It is a common thing that everyone does when they are on the Internet without any clear goal. Likewise, it is the common experience of individuals who are bored and looking for solace. They just keep switching until they find one.
Digital switching is endless; while it allows for new companies and individuals who are offering new forms of digital entertainment to be seen, it is not certain if the user gets what they are looking for. Interestingly, studies have shown that people who experience moderate levels of boredom are more likely to engage in creative thinking and problem-solving, and digital entertainment offers many great avenues for boosting creativity. So, maybe digital switching really helps!
A Short or Long-Term Solution
Indeed, the use of online entertainment like games, music, and comedy has increased substantially during the COVID-19 era. This is evident by the number of companies that skyrocketed during the period. Companies that offered an escape from isolation and provided an ultimate solution to boredom.
Let’s have a look at a few of them;
- Zoom and the transformation of digital meetings: Before the pandemic, not so many people were interested in holding meetings or even concerts online. Zoom was literally struggling with numbers, but everything changed. As soon as the COVID-19 lockdown set in, all attention went back to the platform that offered a solution for people to connect in large numbers and get serious or have fun.
- Netflix: Netflix totally changed the perspective of how movies are released and watched. It offered users a place of solace by giving them access to multiple movies.
- Video game manufacturers: Companies like Nintendo and Take-Two Interactive also saw a huge increase in user numbers during the pandemic because people turned to playing the video games they created as a way to escape feeling down.
The increase in the market for these providers was fuelled by the boredom that people felt during the lockdown.
The Dawn of New Opportunities
The users of these forms of digital entertainment always have to go back to the providers for more. The boredom never ends, and this provides an even bigger opportunity for digital entertainment providers. As long as boredom exists, there will be a place to sell their products.
Boredom has opened ways for digital creators to access new users. Every time you swipe your phone open, hoping to get a piece of content that elevates your spirit, be it audio or video, the digital entertainment industry gets bigger. Social media platforms are now almost oversaturated with content. We have millions of content being uploaded daily and billions of users searching for one content that will save the moment. So, it will never end; as long as we get to have those moments, the digital entertainment industry will continue to provide us with ways to elevate our emotions and, in turn, grow the market.