Many students have taken a liking to shopping online, after all, it is easier than making the dreadful trek to the mall. However, these shopping endeavors have infiltrated their lives to an extreme point. Some talk about doom scrolling on social media, well what about doom scrolling on REVOLVE, Saks, Bloomingdales, and more? These students scroll during class, all day and night searching for their next buy, and their next dopamine rush, a whole new generation of shopaholics have been created! Compulsive shopping is not only draining their bank accounts but also their attention spans, causing problems both in and out of school.
The influx of online shopping has created a monster within many students. The accessibility of online shopping is fueled by many stores, harming students’ financial habits and well-being. The allure of shopping and new items has students maxing their bank accounts and using their savings just to buy the latest trends. The instant gratification of purchases gives some students a sort of “high,” however, and can also lead to anxiety and buyer’s remorse as they regret spending money they might need for something else. For some students this addictive cycle of buying highs and buyer’s remorse has them stuck in financial turmoil. Also, the constant need of new goods can lead to compulsive buying disorders and materialistic mindsets. Junior, Piper Curnow, has often found herself in a financial pickle due to her extreme online shopping, saying, “I bought from three different stores and spent half of my money just this week!”
But the consequences are not just seen in the bank account, students are seeing impacts in the classroom and academically. Many students find themselves distracted in class, scrolling through clothes and shoes instead of focusing on their work and learning. Many find it hard to resist the temptations of shopping and prioritize their academics, for both in-class work and homework. Constant notifications and emails from stores about new sales, or new items being dropped, that many find impossible to ignore, have begun to pull students’ attention from their grades and assignments to their shopping cart. This lack of academic focus has translated into confusion about concepts and lower grades for many students. Another student, Maddie Fluke said, “I can’t focus on reading in literature class when I know that REVOLVE is calling my name.”
Although online shopping offers consistency and variety, it negatively affects students financially and academically. It is important to be aware of the possible consequences that seemingly harmless shopping can have. Also, these impacts can affect student mindsets fostering consumerism and materialism within their daily lives.
