Evie Janis

As online shopping becomes easier and more accessible, buyers are becoming unhealthily addicted.

Teens across America are excessively buying products online with increasingly easier ways to purchase items. With just a few clicks, you can have items at your doorstep—no more need for useless trips to the store when there is a speedy alternative. At least, that’s what most people think until they realize the addiction that comes with shopping online.

It is hard to have self-control when buying online, because there are so many options presented, and when people are presented with that many choices, it can tempt them to buy more. “I overbuy, because when I put something into my cart, it shows stuff that is similar, or something else I would like, and so it knows what I want,” sophomore Paige Kadlec said.

Companies present buyers with similar products on purpose because they are attempting to get them to purchase more than they are originally planning to, as it benefits the company’s sales. This is also why social media can be a big factor in the overconsumption of mass purchasing on the internet. Many companies are sponsored by social media influencers, because if followers are seeing people they look up to wearing or enjoying a product, it can be very tempting to buy it themselves. “I feel like I trust them because I relate to them, so I’m like, oh, if it works for them, then it must work for me,” Kadlec said.

Social media apps, specifically Instagram and TikTok, contribute to the problem as well. Making products appear better than they are is common among these platforms and can easily trick users into purchasing their products. Online sites such as TikTok Shop are trendy, and it’s very easy to just click buy without a second thought. “When I see something on TikTok, then I’ll be like, ‘oh my gosh, that’s so cute,’ and then I want to buy it right away,” sophomore Savana Eison said.

Overbuying can be very detrimental to one’s finances. Buying too many unnecessary products is easy to do and very addictive. Many think that online shopping is a harmless addiction, but the reality is that the temptation of all the products online can distract people from buying necessities. “I think it’s unhealthy, just for my bank account,” Eison said.

However, that doesn’t mean that online shopping is only negative. It can also be a quick and effective way to buy what is needed and be a huge time saver. Remembering to think carefully about purchases before clicking buy is a goal that would be beneficial for all of society to practice. “It’s such easy access. Having to get in your car and drive or walk is less convenient than just [being] on a device,” Kadlec said.