Throughout the documentary it explores and dives into explaining how social media companies use algorithms in order to track their user's behavior and increase engagement. Former Facebook engineer Justin Rosenstein goes into depth how users are being sold to advertisers, and in a way, users are selling their attention away to them. Then Tristan Harris a former Google design ethicist goes in to explaining the addiction to social media platforms and the similarity it has between Vegas slot machines which are primarily designed to keep and maintain one's attention.
Another main topic that is focused on throughout the documentary is how misinformation has spread globally through these social media platforms. Specific studies are referenced within the documentary explaining that more false information is shared on social media than the truth. With that being said it affects everyone on social media because they are in a fighting to figure out what is real and what is fake, and it is troublesome. With never knowing what is true and what is false information it brings in the struggles of being able to trust anything you see or what anyone says.
Then there is the main big topic that the documentary touches on. The tie between mental health struggles and the use of social media primarily amongst teenagers and young adults. Psychologist Jonathan Haidt mentions the rise of depression, anxiety, and suicide rates amongst teens and young adults and how social media is the main cause. The way the documentary shows this and brings it to light is by implementing a storyline of a family that is succumbed by social media addiction and the problems is causes.
The Social Dilemma documentary brings a bright light to bring awareness to the struggles our world is currently facing with social media and technology. It is imperative that we raise the awareness of the effects of social media addiction and how to help one who struggles with it.
Comments
Post a Comment