The word “haptic” originates from the Ancient Greek word haptikós (“able to come into contact with”), and is derived from haptesthai (“to touch” or “to grasp”). It entered the English language in the 19th century as a medical term for tactile, and later become a psychological term for touch-based perception. In modern times, it aptly refers to technology that simulates the sense of touch, where users of web-enabled devices experience mechanical vibrations, motions, or other forces that facilitate digital interaction and provide tactile feedback to actions taken on said devices. Haptics technically do nothing in a true physical sense. For instance, the clicking sensation felt when tapping a button on a smartphone’s interface is not for the benefit of the smartphone, but for the user, confirming that their touch initiated an action. The clicking sensation in itself was not required to initiate the action.
Haptics have gained the most attention from the general public as a key application in video game technology. In gaming, haptics are evident through controllers or wearable tech that produce vibrations (rumblings), forces, and motions. Haptic feedback in gaming enhances immersion, and as such, has become the focus of attention from researchers and behavioral health specialists who are keeping a keen eye on unhealthy gaming behavior.
But haptics in gaming is a separate topic for a separate article.
Instead, today’s feature draws attention to how the technology fuels problematic smartphone use (PSU) relating to non-gaming apps and social media. To the casual observer, the integrations may seem completely innocuousness, but in reality they set the table for unhealthy behavior among vulnerable persons.
Are haptics addictive? Keep reading.
Overview of How Haptic Technology in Smartphones Contribute to Habitual and Addictive Behavior for Vulnerable Persons
Why Single Out Haptics?
Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is a highly nuanced concern that calls out developers of various applications who design apps with a wide number of features that can be habit-forming or addictive. The reason for singling out haptics, is the aforementioned perception that they are sapless and unobjectionable. In a traditional predatory environment, the portrayal of harmlessness often increases vulnerability by enabling perpetrators to build trust, isolate targets, and manipulate situations without suspicion. While this may be a crude comparison, it makes a point. In becoming aware that a threat exists where it was not previously recognized, vulnerable persons gain mindfulness of their behavior as it relates to exposure to the threat, which is critical to prevention and intervention.
List of Common Haptics in Smartphone Apps
The average smartphone user experiences many types of haptics during any given day of usage. Haptics generally improve user experience (UX), with some having less of a potentially problematic psychological impact than others. In either case, it’s beneficial for users to recognize where haptic feedback is employed.
- Keyboard Typing and Tapping: These are the subtle, short clicks that users experience with each keystroke that mimic a physical keyboard.
- Button Press and Click: These are short, quick vibrations that signal when a virtual button has been activated.
- Long Press: These are heavy or sustained vibrations that indicate an icon/item is selected or a context menu has been opened on the device.
- Scrolling and Picker Wheels: These are light, often rhythmic ticking sensations experienced when browsing through long lists, spinning wheels, or adjusting dates, et cetera.
- Toggle and Switch Activation: These are distinct, rapid clicks experienced when turning a virtual switch or engaging an on-or-off setting.
- Notifications and Alerts: These are light rumbles or buzzes to indicate new messages or incoming calls.
- Success Feedback: These are quick, and reportedly satisfying pulses used to confirm completed actions, such as successful payments or unlocked virtual items.
- Error and Warning Feedback: These are sharp, strong vibrations, or a series of rapid jolts, to signify a declined payment, an error, or other negative event.
- Drag-and-Drop: This is in reference to the “pick up” sensation experienced when a virtual item is lifted, followed by the “drop” pulse when it is released. It is often employed in file management and when rearranging app icons on a smartphone or tablet interface.
- Slider Snapping: These are the “ticks” experienced when a slider reaches specific points, such as found when using volume controls.
- Gesture Completion: These are slight vibrations experienced at the end of a gesture, such as pulling down to refresh or completing a swipe action.
How Haptics Contribute to Addictive Behavior
The tactile feedback produced by smartphones (those listed in the section above) contribute to PSU and addictive behavior by creating a dopamine loop, providing tactile, sensory feedback that reinforces the brain’s “wanting” system, turning otherwise mundane digital interactions into satisfying physical experiences. The haptics act as immediate, tangible dopamine-driven rewards such as new content delivery and notifications for behaviors like typing, scrolling, and refreshing, which strengthens neural associations between the smartphone and a pleasurable reward. Over time, the pleasurable feeling becomes diluted, requiring increased usage to attain the same feeling. From here, habitual behavior is formed.
It’s important to note that the phenomenon is independent of other app features and content being consumed, although the app design and content itself often contributes to problematic use, creating a complex comorbidity.
Signs of PSU that May Relate to Haptics
As alluded to in the section above, haptics along with other app features and content (particularly those associated with social media) may all contribute to problematic smartphone use (PSU). In either case, if any combination (three or more) of the following are observed, users should turn off haptic feedback as a part of a robust strategy to correct PSU:
- Losing track of time when engaged with smartphone apps and content.
- Experiencing uncontrollable urges to frequently refresh smartphone apps and content feeds.
- Neglecting work and responsibilities to engage with smartphone apps and content.
- Neglecting healthy activities and hobbies that were once enjoyed by an individual, to instead engage with smartphone apps and content.
- Lying to loved ones about time engaged with smartphone apps and content, particularly when asked to abstain or cut back on usage.
- Experiencing feelings of irritation, restlessness, or anxiousness when not able to use one’s smartphone.
- Using a smartphone when not safe, such as when driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery (e.g. on a construction site).
- Using a smartphone when not appropriate, such as when attending a class lecture (students), during an in-person meeting (professionals), or when minding children in an outdoor environment (parents).
- Experiencing feelings of sadness or disappointment when scrolling or refreshing does not delivery on expectations of new content, communications, or social engagement.
- Exhibiting an inability to control or cut down on smartphone usage without success.
- Scrolling through and engaging with smartphone apps and content as a primary means to cope with and escape boredom.
- Scrolling through and engaging with smartphone apps and content as a primary means to cope with and escape negative feelings.
Who Needs to Turn Off Haptics?
Anyone who recognizes unhealthy behavior (as per the section above) will benefit from turning off haptic feedback on their devices. That being said, it’s beneficial to recognize when a higher potential for unhealthy behavior may exist. There are certain segments of the population who have vulnerabilities to developing addictive behavior relating to experiences delivered by smartphone design. Unhealthy usage may cooccur with various mental health issues (possibly as a maladaptive coping mechanism) and other behavioral issues. Those who live with one or more of the following are encouraged to be more mindful of smartphone use and turn-off haptic feedback:
| Anxiety | Depression |
| ADHD | Bipolar Disorder |
| OCD | PTSD |
| Problem Gambling | Unhealthy Video Gaming |
| Compulsive Shopping Disorder | Unhealthy Social Media Usage |
How to Turn Off Haptic Feedback
Below are links to details on how to turn off haptic feedback on the devices and apps most commonly associated with usage in the United States.
- Turn off haptic feedback on iPhone
- Turn off haptic feedback on Android
- Turn off haptic feedback on ChatGPT (Android)
- Turn off haptic feedback on ChatGPT (iPhone)
If unable to curb problematic smartphone use on your own, be it related to haptics or otherwise, intervention is likely required. Connect to a virtual counselor who specializes in the treatment of digital dependencies through Kindbridge Behavioral Health. Reach out via your preferred form of contact below.
