Late into the night, millions of young Pakistanis are still awake, scrolling on their phones. It’s rarely just for fun or curiosity anymore — it feels more like something they can’t control. Their thumbs keep moving almost automatically, their minds feel restless, and sleep gets sacrificed, one video after another. 

What seems like a simple personal choice is actually far from it. Behind every video, post, and trending sound, there’s an algorithm quietly deciding what we see, how we feel, and slowly shaping the way we think.

Many young Pakistanis are quietly fighting with themselves. They feel guilty for wasting so much time on their phones, get irritated when they see their friends doing better, and constantly worry about not being good enough compared to others online. Yet, despite all these struggles, they can’t seem to stop scrolling. Every notification makes their heart beat faster. Their mind swings between wanting more and feeling anxious, but the cycle somehow continues. 

Every day, students sit with books in front of them, but their minds are elsewhere. They struggle with self-doubt, jealousy, and the constant fear that they are falling behind. Deep down, they know they should be studying, resting, or spending time with friends in real life, but the phone keeps winning. This is the hidden struggle so many young people are facing — a whole generation fighting with itself, where the battle inside feels just as endless as the scroll outside. 

These algorithms weren’t built to teach or inspire us. Their real purpose is simple: keep us watching, liking, and sharing for as long as possible. That’s why they push angry content, extreme opinions, and dramatic posts far more than calm, balanced voices. Thoughtful discussions rarely go viral. Instead, people are constantly fed things that trigger anger, envy, fear, or obsession—because those emotions make us stay longer. Over time, this endless stimulation weakens our attention span, drains our emotional strength, and makes it harder to reflect on our lives. Anxiety slowly becomes a normal part of the day—sitting with students in classrooms, libraries, and bedrooms—quietly........

© Paradigm Shift