Addiktoiva

Addiktoiva is a term used in discussions of digital media and behavioral design to describe systems, products, or practices that foster persistent user engagement and potential addictive patterns. The term combines a root implying addiction with a suffix that marks a quality or tendency, and is used as a descriptive label rather than a clinical diagnosis in most contexts.

The concept has appeared across disciplines such as psychology, human-computer interaction, and media studies, particularly in analyses of platform design, game mechanics, and advertising environments. It is often applied to contexts where algorithmic curation, notification systems, and seamless transitions between content and action create continuous engagement loops.

Proponents argue that addiktoiva helps identify and critique design choices that prioritize retention over well-being, enabling researchers and policymakers to discuss ethical guidelines, transparency, and user autonomy. Critics maintain that the term can be vague and overlapping with broader discussions of addiction, gamification, and business incentives, potentially obscuring other factors like user vulnerability and socio-economic context.

Contexts commonly examined include social media feeds, mobile games with microtransactions, streaming services, and gambling-adjacent apps, where engagement metrics are tightly linked to revenue. The term remains informal and its precise boundaries vary by field and study.