About the Project

🌟 Inspiration

Social media has become an inseparable part of modern life, with over 5.04 billion active users worldwide. However, studies show that excessive use leads to dopamine fluctuations, decreased attention spans, and increased anxiety and depression. We realized that the core issue lies in doomscrolling—the endless consumption of content that leaves users feeling drained rather than fulfilled.

We wanted to redefine social media by shifting the focus from addiction to intentional connection. This led to the creation of Orbit, a platform designed to balance engagement while preventing overstimulation.

🔍 What We Learned

During this project, we gained valuable insights into:

The psychology of social media addiction – How infinite scrolling affects dopamine levels and mental health.
User behavior – How people engage with content and why they struggle to disconnect.
Minimalist UX design – Crafting an interface that encourages mindful usage instead of passive scrolling.
Technical constraints – Implementing scroll limits, content discovery, and a dopamine-conscious algorithm.

🛠️ How We Built It

Orbit was designed as a web and mobile application, focusing on:

Frontend: React Native for a seamless and responsive UI.
Backend: Node.js with Firebase for real-time data management.
Database: Firestore to handle user-generated content and mongodb.
Features:
- Upload & Share: Users can post photos and videos.
- Explore the World: A 30-post daily limit ensures balanced engagement.
- Search & Discover: Allows users to find profiles without infinite scrolling.
- Balanced Engagement: Every feature is designed to prevent addiction while maintaining meaningful interactions.

🚧 Challenges We Faced

Finding the right balance – Limiting dopamine-driven features while keeping the platform engaging.
Technical implementation – Developing a structured scrolling limit without frustrating users.
User adoption – Encouraging people to embrace a healthier social media experience in a world dominated by infinite scrolling.
Data-driven decision making – Ensuring the platform is backed by scientific research and user feedback.

🚀 The Future of Orbit

Orbit is just the beginning. In the future, we plan to:

Introduce AI-driven content curation to ensure a healthy mix of novelty.
Develop social engagement features that don’t rely on addiction-based metrics.
Expand accessibility with a fully functional mobile app.

Social media should be a tool, not a trap. With Orbit, we are building a future where online connections feel refreshing, not overwhelming.