Hi everyone, Shalom Aleichem!
Good evening GanSist everyone! 
Welcome back to Superwoman Seriesthe 105th, a series that discusses how women can become strong individuals physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
In several previous series, we have discussed the various negative impacts of shopping addiction, ranging from financial losses, damage to social relationships, to mental and physical health problems. However, there is one important question that needs to be asked, why do so many people find it difficult to stop shopping online? Is it because they have no self-control?
The answer is not that simple. Modern online shopping apps are designed to keep users on the platform as long as possible. The goal, of course, is to increase transactions and get users to return to buy the product in the future.
In consumer behavior and behavioral economics, various features in digital applications are known to influence human decision making. Not all marketing strategies are bad. Many of them actually help consumers find the products they need.
However, if used without awareness, these various features can encourage consumer behavior and even worsen shopping addiction.
As a Superwoman, understanding how these strategies work is part of being able to protect yourself.
Here are 8 evil tricks that often make it increasingly difficult for someone to break away from the habit of online shopping.
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1. Offers instant solutions without processing
Humans naturally like shortcuts. Therefore, many advertisements use messages such as “Bright skin in a few days”, “Healthy body without effort”, “Slim down without exercise”, and “Fit body with just one product”. These kinds of messages are very attractive because they offer results without a long process.
In fact, most real health changes require time, consistency, lifestyle changes, and discipline.
In psychology, humans have a tendency to choose quick rewards over greater benefits in the future. Online shopping apps capitalize on this trend by offering seemingly simple and immediate solutions.
A Superwoman needs to remember that not all problems can be solved with one click and one transaction.
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2. Showing dramatic and unreasonable testimonials
Many products are promoted with amazing-sounding testimonials. For example, recovering completely in a short time, becoming very beautiful in just a few days, even life immediately changes after buying a product.
Humans tend to be influenced by other people’s experiences, especially if these experiences are conveyed emotionally.
However, not all testimonials can be used as scientific evidence. Some testimonials may be exaggerated, unverifiable, not representative of the majority of users, or even intentionally created for marketing purposes.
In the world of health and science, a product’s claims should be supported by good research, not just dramatic stories. A critical attitude is a form of intelligence that a Superwoman needs to have.
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3. Romanticizing Excessive Fear of Suffering
Some advertisements use fear as a marketing tool. For example, fear of getting tired quickly, fear of getting sick easily, fear of being considered unattractive, and fear of not being accepted by the environment.
Fear is indeed a strong emotion and can influence a person’s decisions. If someone is constantly made afraid, it becomes easier for them to buy products that are thought to provide a sense of security.
In fact, life cannot be completely free from pain, failure, or discomfort. Building mental health and resilience is much more important than continuing to buy products out of overwhelming fear.
Superwoman doesn’t live in panic. Strong women learn to face life’s uncertainties with courage and wisdom.
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4. Gives a False Feeling of Health and Protection
Shopping often provides a sense of comfort. Purchasing certain health products, vitamins, supplements, or devices can give rise to the feeling that we are doing something to protect our health.
However, this feeling of security is not necessarily in line with reality. Health still requires adequate sleep, a balanced diet, physical activity, stress management, and proper health checks. A person can have a cupboard full of supplements, but still live an unhealthy lifestyle. In these conditions, the product only provides the illusion of protection.
Superwoman understands that true health is built through daily habits, not just through shopping transactions.
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5. Continuous Escalation of Addiction
Addiction often does not happen suddenly. Initially you may only buy one item, then you buy more often, buy more expensive items, spend more time shopping, until it becomes difficult to feel satisfied.
This phenomenon is similar to the tolerance process in various other addictive behaviors. The feeling of pleasure that once occurred after one purchase begins to diminish, so that a person needs another purchase to obtain the same sensation. Over time, shopping is no longer a necessity, but a habit that is difficult to control.
Therefore, recognizing early signs of consumer behavior is an important step to prevent bigger problems.
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6. Destroys discipline and makes you more lazy about maintaining your health
One of the dangers of instant solutions is that they reduce motivation to build healthy habits. Some people start to think that they don’t need to exercise because there are supplements, they don’t need to adjust their diet because there are certain products, and they don’t need to change their lifestyle because there are easier solutions.
In fact, health research shows that changing daily behavior remains a very important factor in maintaining health. No product can completely replace physical activity, adequate sleep, good nutrition and stress management.
When someone continues to look for shortcuts, discipline can slowly weaken. A Superwoman understands that health requires effort and cannot be built through instant habits alone.
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7. Make shopping an outlet for sadness and fatigue
Many people shop when they are sad, angry, bored, feel lonely, or even experience mental fatigue.
Shopping can indeed provide a temporary sense of calm. However, these effects usually do not last long. The real problem remains, while money and time are wasted.
In the long term, using shopping as an emotional escape can actually worsen psychological conditions. A person may feel guilty, regretful, and experience stress again due to excessive spending.
Healthier ways to deal with emotions include exercising, resting, talking to trusted people, writing, and doing creative activities. Superwoman does not deny her emotions, but learns to manage them healthily.
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8. Online Shopping Algorithms That Make Users More Addicted
Modern digital applications use algorithms that learn user habits. If someone frequently searches for a particular product, the app can continue to show similar products, additional recommendations, personalized discounts, and ads that match the user’s interests. The goal is to make the shopping experience more interesting and relevant.
However, for some people, this system can also make the urge to shop stronger. The more often someone sees a product that suits their wishes, the greater the possibility of making a purchase.
Therefore, it is not surprising that many people feel like they “accidentally” bought things after simply opening the app. In fact, behind the scenes, algorithms continue to work to attract user attention.
Awareness of how this technology works can help someone make wiser decisions.
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CLOSURE
Online shopping provides many conveniences and benefits. However, this convenience can also become a trap if used without awareness.
Some strategies that often encourage consumer behavior include:
1) Offer instant solutions
2) Show dramatic testimonials
3) Taking advantage of excessive fear
4) Gives the illusion of health and safety
5) Strengthens the escalation of addiction
6) Reduce discipline in maintaining health
7) Making shopping an emotional escape
8) Using an algorithm that continuously drives purchases
As part of Superwoman Series #105, the message to be conveyed is simple, that technology should be a tool that helps life, rather than a tool that controls life.
A Superwoman doesn’t buy something just because she’s scared, sad, or tempted by an attractive advertisement. Superwoman learns to think critically, control her desires, and use her money and time for things that will truly benefit her future.
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SOURCE
One Hundred Percent Male Y*ut*be Account (but adapted to a female style)
Alter, A. (2017). Irresistible: The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked. Penguin Press.
Black, D. W. (2007). Compulsive buying disorder: A review of the evidence. CNS Spectrums, 12(2)124–132.
Dittmar, H. (2005). Compulsive buying—A growing concern? An examination of gender, age, and endorsement of materialistic values as predictors. British Journal of Psychology, 96(4)467–491.
Eyal, N. (2014). Hooked: How to build habit-forming products. Portfolio/Penguin.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Montag, C., & Walla, P. (2016). Carpe diem instead of losing your social mind: Beyond digital addiction and why we all suffer from digital overuse. Cogent Psychology, 3(1)1157281.
Roberts, J. A., & Jones, E. (2001). Money attitudes, credit card use, and compulsive buying among American college students. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 35(2)213–240.
World Health Organization. (2022). Mental health and well-being. World Health Organization.
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