When daily activities become digitally curated: a perspective through the model of human occupation

Dopamine-scrolling characterized by prolonged engagement with algorithmically curated social media content driven by intermittent rewards and personalized recommendations has emerged as a common pattern of digital behavior with potential implications for everyday occupations. Although dopamine-scrolling has been discussed in relation to psychological constructs, its influence on occupational participation has received limited attention. This perspective article draws on broader literature on Social Media Use (SMU) and applies the Model of Human Occupation to conceptualize dopamine-scrolling as an emerging occupational phenomenon. It proposes that prolonged engagement with algorithmically curated digital environments may reshape occupational participation by altering volitional processes and promoting passive occupational participation, shifting occupational identity towards performative occupational engagement, and contributing to occupational imbalance through the disruption or displacement of meaningful occupations, with potential consequences for health and wellbeing. This perspective reframes dopamine-scrolling as a phenomenon capable of reshaping occupational participation, occupational engagement, occupational identity and occupational balance. It also highlights the societal implications and recommendations for future research, occupational therapy practice, interdisciplinary collaborations and digital literacy initiatives aimed at promoting more intentional and meaningful patterns of digital participation. The concepts presented are intended as interpretive propositions requiring empirical validation across populations and contexts.