Pruush Chowdhury talks about the dangers of social media addiction.
Addiction is a disease of the mind, not with moral consequences. It is no longer limited to substance abuse and gambling. It exists in social media, overuse of the internet, and dependence on technology. Online experiences can be addictive through a combination of factors such as ease of access, rewards and reinforcement, social connection, escapism, and lack of regulation.
Social media addiction is no different than traditional addiction. People who suffer from social media addiction spend excessive amounts of time on their chosen platform, constantly checking their accounts, experience anxiety and restlessness when unable to log on, and can overlook other responsibilities such as work, school, or work. There is a nature. relationship.
Multiple studies show evidence of the negative effects of excessive social media use. “Problem Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health” (Boers et al., 2020) Finds an important relationship between excessive social media use and depression, anxiety, and loneliness in adolescents. revealed that there is Another study (Kircaburun & Griffiths, 2018) investigated the relationship between social media addiction, self-esteem and life satisfaction and found that higher levels of social media addiction were associated with lower self-esteem and life satisfaction. was shown.
Some people are more prone to addiction than others, and the causes include psychological, social, genetic, environmental, and physical factors. Although there are many categories of addiction, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive and may overlap. Social media addiction and smartphone addiction can be closely related, as social media platforms are often accessed through smartphones. Similarly, both online shopping addiction and online gambling addiction may overuse the Internet for pleasure or escape.
Some technologies are designed to be addictive through the use of features such as notifications, rewards and streaks to create a sense of accomplishment, motivation and keep users engaged. However, it is important to recognize that not all technologies have dependencies. Using technology for work, communication and entertainment is normal and even necessary. The difference between healthy technology use and addiction is the extent to which the lack of access to technology interferes with daily life and responsibilities, and whether withdrawal symptoms occur. It’s also important to recognize that the causes of technology addiction are complex and multifaceted. Boredom, anxiety, depression, and social isolation are common factors, but genetics, personality traits, and environmental factors also play a role. A nuanced understanding of the different categories of addiction involves not only understanding the factors that contribute to technology addiction, but also recognizing the potential for overlap and the importance of healthy technology use.
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) added gaming disorder to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), officially recognizing it as a mental health condition characterized by patterns of gaming behavior. This development was further reviewed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which developed diagnostic criteria for technology addiction, also known as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
Addictive algorithms refer to algorithmic decision-making processes that can lead to addictive behavior. The science behind addictive algorithms is based on understanding how the brain responds to rewards. An essential element of this understanding is based on the principles of behavioral psychology. It shapes programmed habits through conditioning, influencing thoughts and behaviors, leading to compelling designs that produce neurological effects that lead to changes in mood, behavior and sensations. For example, dark patterns are user interface (UI) designs that intentionally mislead or manipulate users into making decisions that are not in their best interests. They are often used in online advertising and social media platforms to trick users into clicking on ads, signing up for subscriptions or sharing personal information. Techniques used in design include scarcity (FOMO), urgency, social proof, authority (expert power), and likeability (relevance).
When we do something worthwhile, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. When dopamine is released, a behavior is reinforced, making us more likely to do it again. Addictive algorithms are designed to take advantage of this reward pathway in our brain. They do this by offering us small and frequent rewards like likes, comments and shares. These rewards are often unpredictable, which keeps us hooked and coming back for more. Addictive algorithms not only exploit human reward pathways, they also exploit our natural propensity for novelty. They do this by constantly providing us with new content and keep us from getting bored. The constant flow of new content can be overwhelming. It also makes it harder to leave the app.
Combining these factors makes an addictive algorithm very powerful. They can easily pull us into a cycle of compulsive use, even if we know it’s overuse. Designed to keep us interested as long as possible in order to monetize our ads. One of the key mechanisms underlying the addictiveness of social media algorithms is ‘fluctuating’ or unpredictable rewards, which are known to activate the brain’s dopamine system. Receiving an unpredictable or unexpected reward causes dopamine levels to spike, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. This is why rewards are so effective in keeping us engaged. These habits not only create unpredictability and excitement that keep us coming back for more, but also lead to increased motivation and more time spent on social media platforms, along with lower overall satisfaction. also form. However, the brain responds differently to predictable rewards. Predictable rewards tend to keep dopamine levels stable, while unpredictable rewards cause dopamine rushes in anticipation of rewards that are not exactly predictable. This is because our brains are wired to search endlessly for the next reward and are never satisfied. In fact, variability is the brain’s natural enemy of cognition, and our minds prioritize cause and effect reasoning over functions such as self-control and moderation. Humans crave predictability and struggle to spot patterns, even when they don’t exist.
Another mechanism is flow-inducing interfaces. Social media platforms are designed to be easy to use, with simple “flow-guided” interfaces that keep you scrolling through content and engaging for as long as possible, promoting addictive use. Social media platforms allow users to scroll endlessly with no apparent stopping point. User-specific data is used to deliver personalized content that is more likely to remain of interest to us because it is more relevant to our interests. Social media platforms collect data about user behavior and preferences and use this information to deliver personalized content. These mechanisms exploit classical conditioning and reward-based learning processes to facilitate the formation of habit loops that drive addictive use.
Simplicity, seamlessness, visual appeal, and gamification are some of the characteristics of flow-inducing interfaces. These interfaces are associated with optimal performance and positive emotions, and activate various brain chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and endorphins.
By understanding the mechanisms underlying these algorithms, we can develop strategies to mitigate their negative impact. For example, the International Institute for Educational Technology (ISTE) has developed guidelines for responsible technology use in schools. The guidelines are designed to help schools protect students from the risks of technology addiction. Regulating addictive algorithms can be difficult because there is no clear definition of what an addictive algorithm is.
While it’s important to approach the subject of online experiences and mental health with compassion, it’s also essential to understand that social media platforms are designed to keep us online. That’s how these companies make money. Online experiences are a great way to stay connected, but overuse can fuel feelings of addiction, anxiety, depression, isolation, FOMO, and more. We also recognize that spending too much time online can potentially lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, and that the future of online spaces will be more personalized, more immersive and more accessible. It is also important to recognize
Puruesh Chaudhary is an award-winning futurist and strategic narrative expert. She has been featured as one of the top female futurists in the world and works for AGAHI. [email protected]
