The rise of "dopamine sites": fake food delivery and shopping apps that satisfy cravings without spending a cent

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WTF?! PCs and smartphones have given rise to many ways to kill boredom, such as games, social media, messaging, and emojis. The latest viral digital activity involves simulating everyday tasks, such as ordering food or taking a smoke break, without actually eating or smoking anything.

Young people, particularly in South Korea, have begun visiting so-called "dopamine sites" for the same reason people doomscroll on phones. The trend might be the latest expression of an online culture increasingly centered around instant gratification.

According to the Korean outlet Hankook Ilbo, one person uses a fake food delivery service to momentarily zone out and satisfy late-night cravings without actually eating anything or spending money.