Why You Should Use Duolingo
Some people criticize Duolingo, claiming it isn’t a “serious” platform for learning languages. But there’s a side to Duolingo that many overlook—one that can genuinely help you regain control over your digital habits.
Duolingo incorporates elements of social media and gaming: streaks, leaderboards, XP points, and quick reward loops. It may not be as addictive as Instagram or TikTok—but these features can redirect the same impulse that keeps you scrolling endlessly.
As James Clear explains in Atomic Habits, most of our compulsive actions start with a cue: an uncomfortable feeling, boredom, or mental fatigue. That’s when we instinctively open social media to escape that discomfort. What I’ve found is that Duolingo can act as a healthier alternative during those moments. It gives you something to do that still taps into that instant-reward circuitry, but with a sense of productivity rather than guilt.
Personally, I’ve used Duolingo to replace my urge to scroll. In a way, it works like how medical opioids can be used to treat opioid withdrawal—not by removing the craving instantly, but by redirecting it into something less harmful and more controlled.
This underrated aspect of Duolingo has helped me immensely, and it might help you too.
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