How social media distorts our views of reality
I love using social media to connect with others both professionally and within my family and friends groups. While I always knew why I liked social media sites and applications, I was unaware of how technology companies designed social media to be addictive and a tremendous data collector. Companies or political groups use the data collected to advertise to people or gain a competitive edge for the company or political group. The Netflix documentary-drama hybrid The Social Dilemma unmasks the way social media applications are controlling people’s lives. A phrase shared during the documentary really sticks out to me. “If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product.” In this thought paper, I explore how social media has impacted my personal life and tips for other people like me to develop a healthy relationship with technology.
Many parts resonated with me in The Social Dilemma, but I will highlight two that I think will stick with me for a long time. The film exposed how social media platform creators designed the social media platforms with human psychology on persuasion and positive intermittent reinforcement in mind. They focused on what types of user experience design would keep people coming back to the platform and staying online for a more extended amount of time. When I watched the documentary, I felt anxious because I know I check social media sites often, and I admittedly like the refresh option on the applications, especially Instagram. For some reason, that action is satisfying, and now I know why it is so gratifying.
Another point in the film that resonated with me is the avatar voodoo doll example of the social media platform algorithms that create a model to predict what a person does, likes, what triggers emotions in a person, and where they are likely to go in the world. They use this information to drive the company’s goal of engagement, growth, and advertising. I was not too fond of the part in the film where an actor shows a dramatization of the algorithm pushing content to people based on what they’ve pressed the reaction button on the post. I did not like that part of the film because it opened my eyes to how I use social media and the way I interact with suggested posts. I have liked suggested posts that resonated with me without double-checking the source of the post to ensure the page sharing the social media post aligns with my beliefs.
On the other hand, the dramatization will likely help me double-check the pages of the posts that I like and reconsider the information I share on social media. Overall, I do not think I could currently go without my phone for 24 hours, and I would need to plan an extensive activity like a nature walk through a botanical garden with a point-and-shoot camera to stay off my phone for 24 hours. I would also need someone with me to ensure my safety because I rely on having my phone on me at all times as a safety measure for calling for help if needed. The notification that would get me to go back to my phone is being tagged in a post, and the curiosity would get me to give in and check my phone.
The film also discussed how social media distorts our self-worth, identity, our view of our relationships, and our reality. The distortion was hard to realize until I followed accounts that showed reality versus the social media application. For example, on Instagram, people used to post photos of themselves with either no editing or an Instagram filter. There were limited options for filters, and the filters adjusted the colors in pictures, but not your overall appearance. Now, people can use filters and editing software or applications that can completely change their appearance. The distortion that I have realized in my personal life is how everyone’s life seems easier, happier, and more fun. When I use social media, I tend to fall into two modes: creating content or sharing pictures and videos. The difference to me is in how I decided what to share on social media. When I focus on the distorts social media creates, I will focus on posting “Instagram worthy” or other social media platform “worthy” content on my personal social media. When I focus on a realistic view of my life, I will share pictures and videos without edits and not as much consideration for my aesthetic on social media. Another way social media distorts my views of real life is how fake many pictures are on social media. There are pictures edited to make people appear in the newest physical appearance trends, setting unrealistic standards. The posts that show reality versus Instagram help me undo the distortion and have a genuine view of our broader reality.
Our human physiology was another highlight in the film because of how much technology has advanced. Artificial intelligence gives algorithms the capability to machine learn how people use social media and use that knowledge to drive social media companies’ engagement, growth, and advertising goals. Although we have our own goals for using social media, the power of AI can out beat our human willpower to disengage from unhealthy behaviors caused by social media use. While we cannot beat AI, we can take steps to develop a healthy relationship with technology. In an article by the American Psychological Association, the organization shared seven tips on steps people can take to create a healthy relationship with technology. I will share three that I plan to implement moving forward.
- Turn off notifications on your devices to ensure you stay off of social media platforms and your phone. Apple products, in particular, have the Do Not Disturb feature. I have used this feature to focus on my assignments for graduate school. I will also use this feature when I engage in other activities that I typically scroll social media or use other technology during the activities like watching TV or eating alone.
- Manage expectations so that when you need to take a break from technology, you will not feel anxious that people are waiting for a response from you, and they will know that you are offline and refrain from reaching out to you through technology.
- Take time to recharge by using your free time to stay away from technology and rest in the quiet and simplicity of doing nothing. Or you can spend that free time doing non-technological activities like going for a walk, reading a book, or playing a game like Chess in real life instead of through a website or application.
Hopefully, my insights following my viewing of The Social Dilemma film will help others reconsider how they use social media and technology. If my insights resonated with you, please share your thoughts with me in the comments section and watch the full documentary to look deeper at how social media distorts our views of reality.
