How to Make Learning as Addictive as Social Media | Duolingo's Luis Von Ahn | TED

What if learning felt as addictive as TikTok? In this reveal, Duolingo co-founder Luis von Ahn shares exactly how education became fun—and habit-forming—by using the same psychological hooks found in social media.

We break down how Duolingo:

Transforms tedious repetition into rewarding habits through gamified features like streaks, XP, and leaderboards
Reddit
+15
ChatGPT学习宝典
+15
Reddit
+15
arXiv

Uses targeted notifications and behavioral psychology to keep users coming back daily
ChatGPT学习宝典

Leverages a freemium model to provide access globally—even while reinforcing user dependency across cultures
Readwise
+2
Toolify
+2

Continually A/B tests strategies to optimize retention—even at the cost of user efficiency and satisfaction
YouTube
+4
arXiv
+4
axios.com
+4

Whether you’re an educator, product designer, or truth seeker, this talk reveals how platforms train your brain to crave learning… or scrolling.

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