Zahriah Balentine
Staff Writer
Since its founding in 1997, one of the top media service companies also known as Netflix, has swept the world as millions of users are able to watch movies and TV shows anywhere and anytime on multiple devices.
Offering 130 million memberships with premium HD streaming, a tremendous media library, and unique original titles at a reasonable price. With award-winning Netflix originals like “Orange is the New Black”, “Stranger Things”, and “Bird Box” the entertainment service is continuously leaving viewers at the edge of seats ready for the next big release. However, are viewers allowing Netflix to take over their everyday lives?
Jackson State University student, Jolene Ceniceros, a junior biology major from Whittier, Calif., said she believes in the obsession of Netflix and that people allows the Internet company to control them. She also mentioned that she doesn’t watch the entertainment service because of her busy school schedule.
“Netflix addiction isn’t something I really thought about but it is real! That’s why people binge watch and put Netflix over priorities,” she said.
She continued, “No I’m not guilty of Netflix binging because I never really have time to watch Netflix for long periods of time. When I do watch a lot of Netflix, it means I did what I needed to do, so it’s my way of relaxing.”
Dr. Mark G. Henderson, professor and chair of the Department of Speech, confirmed that becoming dependent to Netflix is real among college students, especially those who are antisocial. He explained his experience with college students who stayed on campus over spring break and how they used Netflix as a tool for entertainment.
“They would watch Netflix the whole week and the whole weekend. I would tell them it’s spring break! Even if it’s not spring break, can’t you find something else to do? They won’t. They can watch a whole series in a day or two. That’s just troublesome to me. I do think that it’s an issue for college students. Especially college students who don’t have social skills,” Henderson said.
According to a survey done by Netflix, most Netflix members choose to binge watch their way through a series versus taking their time, finishing an entire season in one week, on average (shows that fall in the Sci-Fi, horror and thriller categories are the most likely to be binged).
Another JSU student confirmed that the entertainment service can truly become addictive, making a reference to the brain and why people allow a dependence towards Netflix to occur.
“I’m definitely guilty of Netflix binging because when I do sit down and find time to watch Netflix, I’m purposely trying to watch an entire season or something. Or even more if they have it available,” proclaimed Bryce Hunter, a sophomore music education major from Memphis, Tenn.
He continued, “It definitely can become an addiction because it’s for entertainment. Anything that sparks your interest sparks in chemicals up there almost like dopamine. Especially if you don’t have anything else to cling on to.”
According to NBC News, Renee Carr, a clinical psychologist, says it’s because of the chemicals releasing in our brain.
“When engaged in an activity that’s enjoyable such as binge watching, your brain produces dopamine.”
She explains, “This chemical gives the body a natural, internal reward of pleasure that reinforces continued engagement in that activity. It is the brain’s signal that communicates to the body, ‘This feels good. You should keep doing this!’ When binge watching your favorite show, your brain is continually producing dopamine, and your body experiences a drug-like high. You experience a pseudo-addiction to the show because you develop cravings for dopamine.”
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