How to Counteract the Social Dilemma of Today’s Age
The Netflix film, “The Social Dilemma” showed the shocking side of the internet age. It showed how manipulation and addiction are used intentionally or unintentionally by social media platforms to keep users’ attention glued to their screen.
For those who haven’t seen the film, it is about the allegation that social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter use their platforms to manipulate human behavior for advertising profit. The use of unique and systematic designs like infinite scrolling targeted ads, and push notifications to keep users constantly engaged and addicted.
Why is it Dangerous?
Jonathan Zittrain stated that “If something online is free, you’re not the customer–you’re the product.” And this, therefore, is the idea that the movie is presenting. It shows how our attention is “exploited” to advertising companies through the use of such platforms.
It takes our attention away from by giving subliminal dopamine triggers through the use of photos, videos, or posts that affects us psychologically. This is what makes the platforms dangerous. It gives users the dopamine rush, that when given in abnormal proportions, might give detrimental side effects such as technostress, anxiety, and depression. And most importantly, it takes our time and, eventually, our lives.
How to Counteract it?
The most direct and probably the hardest thing to do is to stop scrolling. Uninstall these apps, time yourself when using emails, and start living.
Although, stopping might be easier said than done. To stop the addiction, do it gradually. Make new hobbies or visit long lost interests. For instance, start planting or caring for plants. This will give the therapeutic benefits of lessening stress and anxiety while giving back to the environment.
Check our page for aesthetic plants for beginners and start living today.