Scientists Find Binge Television Viewing, Watching More Than Three Episodes In One Sitting, Connected to Depression, Loneliness, and Self Regulation Deficiency

The word binge is often associated negatively with binge drinking or binge eating. It has that negative connotation because it is the overindulgence of something within a short period of time. Until recently, binge watching hasn't been looked at as a behavior that is frowned upon. Recent studies are showing that it is not as harmless as it seems.

• Watching more than three episodes in one sitting is considered binge viewing.
• Largely popular websites such as Netflix, Hulu, and On Demand services make it easy for people to binge.
• According to a survey I held, 73% of people consider binge viewing television an addictive behavior. 

Online streaming and binge viewing is a fairly new topic as it has just become available and more popular to users over the past couple years. An article published on NPR describes the findings of the lead researcher on this topic, Yoon Hi Sung. Sung is a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin. Of the research Sung has completed so far, she has come to the conclusion that binge watching doesn't make you diagnosed as depressed, but it is only a connection between the two behaviors. The participants who are more lonely and depressed are more likely to binge watch to escape from their sadness.

Her full research will be presented at the International Communications Association on May 21st-25th in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is a well-respected association that consists of over four thousand members in eighty different countries.


This Newsweek article reminds us that it's not just Netflix and the other popular online streaming websites that allow people to binge watch. DVD sets and On Demand services allow for long hours of nonstop watching. It is just that some features on Netflix allow binge watching to become easier.

The autoplay feature on Netflix leads to addictive behavior and causes users to continue to binge watch and neglect other parts of their lives. 

When a user finishes an episode on Netflix there is a 15 second pause before the next episode begins playing automatically. This autoplay feature makes it hard for people to self regulate themselves. People just keep watching even though they know they have other tasks to complete. It can especially be hard for students who are constantly on their laptops. The temptation is always around. People find themselves thinking they will just watch one episode as a break from studying, or working, and the next thing you know they have watched three or more episodes. This self-regulation deficiency can lead to isolation and loneliness.

Netflix's strategy to release new seasons of shows all at once is also a cause for addictive behavior. Popular shows like "Orange is the New Black" and "House of Cards" require much self-regulation for people to control themselves from watching too much at a time. People want to continue watching, and they are able to because every episode of the show is available.

It is also no surprise to add that long hours of sedentary behavior are not good for your physical health. Lilian Cheung, from the Harvard School of Public Health, reports that, "There's convincing evidence in adults that the more television people watch, the more likely they are to gain weight or become overweight or obese". She added, "And there's emerging evidence that too much TV watching also increases the risk of weight-related chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes."

People tend to prefer to binge watch alone, which can lead to being antisocial and isolating behavior.

As binge watching is rising in popularity, most people chose to watch their shows at home alone. Memes all over the internet are created showing the pervasiveness of binge watching television shows rather than going out with friends. People find it easier. It's always there and it becomes very comfortable. Whisper, an anonymous posting app, shows many postings like this.

In a survey I held over the past week I found these results. Binge watching is an addictive behavior and when it is done alone, you are isolating yourself. Instead of going out with friends people sometimes chose to stay in and watch alone, which is fine every once and awhile, but when it becomes addictive it can lead people to become more antisocial. 

In the same survey I held, I also asked the question "Have you ever felt it was hard to stop once you have started watching?" 82% of people responded yes. To self regulate yourself in this regard is very hard, but there are ways to help. 

Break up binge watching by taking breaks between shows and discussing the show with others to avoid isolation and loneliness. 

Physically you can make binge watching healthier by getting up and taking breaks between watching. This little bit of physical activity can be very beneficial. Mentally, you can avoid isolation by discussing the shows you are watching with others. Whether it is an online discussion or with friends in person this is a helpful way of getting away from watching the television show itself.

Many people are surprised by the amount of other people watching the same shows...especially the really popular ones like "Breaking Bad", "Orange is the New Black", and "House of Cards". These shows bring up many topics of discussion, and many people enjoy discussing them just as much as they enjoy watching them.

Another way to avoid binge watching on Netflix is to turn off the autoplay option. The settings page offers a way to just watch one episode at a time. This is a way to deter temptation of continuing to watch.

Some people find it helpful to regulate themselves by only watching a certain amount of episodes at a given time. Or some people also find it helpful to use it as a reward. For example, if I get this assignment done, then I will allow myself one episode. Or, if I get a good workout in, I will allow myself one episode. Setting goals like this and using it as a reward gives you a break and makes for a healthier lifestyle. 

Virgin America's New Step By Step Booking Design Makes User Interface and User Experience Much Better Than Its Competitors Southwest and United Airlines

In the summer of 2014 Virgin America hired Work & Co. and released a whole new booking system on their website. Its design is simple and easy to navigate. Instead of entering all your information like dates, destinations, and traveler information at once, it is done in a step by step process. When you first arrive on the site it asks you right away your destination. Once you chose, it slides down to a calendar view of departure dates with each day showing the price for that day.

The site is interactive throughout the booking process, when you choose the dates for your travel it says, for example, "May 8th-15th, looks good." and then it moves on to the next step. After the dates are picked it moves on to picking the time of your flight and your seat, then on to traveler information and payment.

The booking system on Southwest and United Airlines websites are confusing and not as flexible for customers if they want to check and see the prices for different dates. Virgin gives a big overview of the entire month.

The User Interface of Virgin America is Excellent with Fast Loading, a Logical Step By Step Process, and a Simple Design. 

Virgin America's booking system makes it as easy as possible on the customer. It breaks away from the traditional online booking system where customers type in their travel information and pick a flight by the information they have provided. Virgin uses a step by step process, as explained above. Because it was just redone in the past year it is available on all devices. In fact, one of the main goals of the redesign was increasing the amount of flights booked on mobile phones. It works efficiently, allowing you to see all the prices for your flight for each day of the month. It also allows you to easily go back if you make a mistake in the booking process. As you follow along with each step the website "talks you through it" in a way that makes you feel as if someone from Virgin America is there with you, helping you through the booking process. Each decision made is independent from one another as you make your way through booking your flight.

The clean design of the website is very contemporary which goes along with their inflight experience. They use mood lighting in the cabins and leather seats to make flying comfortable and easy.

They offer television screens in the back of every seat back. They allow you to watch cable television, play games, and listen to music. Wifi is also offered as a part of their inflight experience. Virgin America wants the customer to feel as comfortable as possible on and off the plane.

On their website in the About Us category they describe themselves as, "a California-based airline that is on a mission to make flying good again, with brand new planes, attractive fares, top-notch service, and a host of fun, innovative amenities that are reinventing domestic air travel."

Their ability to connect with their customers on an interactive level makes the user interface so successful. It is done smoothly, efficiently, and simply. 

Without Distractions Like Advertisements, Car Rentals, and Credit Card Deals Customers Book Flights Twice As Fast On Virgin America.  

Southwest Airlines and United Airlines are filled with advertisements that make their website design very busy and distracting from the main point of the site - to book flights. It makes it confusing when there is too much going on. Although this is the traditional way of doing things, it doesn't mean it is the best.

All the extra information offered on Southwest Airlines and United Airlines websites make it overwhelming for the customer. They spend more time trying to figure out how to navigate the website while getting distracted by the advertisements. It slows down the entire booking process. When Virgin America revamped their design they got rid of the advertisements, special offers, and promotions that exist on their competitors home pages. Their design is simple and to the point. The extra offers are nice, but it makes the website less user friendly as it distracts the customers from booking their flights. It might confuse customers, for example, if they see an advertisement on how to save money on a rental car it might make them think they have to use Southwest.com to book their rental car.

Southwest and United Airlines contain many pictures on their websites which often draws attention, but the simplicity of Virgin America is more intriguing because of its attractive design and user friendliness. Virgin America broke free from the traditional booking system and so far, it is doing well for them. According to the awards section on their website they have been ranked as the #1 performing airline in the 2013 and 2014 Airline Quality Rating report.

Virgin America's homepage. Simple and free of advertisements 

United Airlines homepage 

Southwest airlines homepage

A Dead Liberian Man is Disinfected in Front of a Crowd During the Ebola Outbreak

This article shows a photo of a Liberian man being disinfected by a health worker.

This photo tells the story of the outbreak of ebola and how serious it is. The photo shows good perspective as the men in the background watch the health worker disinfect his body. This photo strikes emotion to its audience as the man lays on the ground helplessly. It gives example to the rule of thirds, the main piece of action is a little off center. It is a good look into what ebola is and the actions that are put into place when there is an outbreak of ebola in a person.

My name is Paige and I am a sophomore at UMD. I am currently undecided but I am on the path to declare Communications as my major. I enjoy sports and entertainment and I am hoping to graduate in 4 years.