The Algorithm is Algorithming
By Audrey Wang
Do you ever get trapped, you know, stuck in a never-ending loop of scrolling on TikTok or Instagram? Perhaps you have a ton of homework, and you procrastinate by going down the scroll black hole of social media. Time has passed and you have just wasted an hour. Sometimes the content may not even be worth watching, but you just cannot stop.
Whenever we hop on a social media app, we are instantly gratified thanks to the “feel good” hormone dopamine. This could be detrimental to our willpower, attention span, and mental health, even acting like a drug when it isn’t actually one.
If you relate, you are not alone. Your social media feed was designed to keep you engaged for as long as possible, by showing you what you have enjoyed in the past. The more you engage in something— such as liking, commenting, or even as simple as spending time watching a video— gives the algorithm positive feedback and they will show more of that type of content. Screen time warnings and limits are currently implemented on social media apps, which is a step in the right direction, but it may not be enough to stop our cravings for more. While some may present the solution of quitting social media altogether, I believe there are benefits worth exploring in social media. Deleting all social media could be difficult for those who have friends who live far away or online communities in which they feel appreciated.
How can we change the way we approach social media and avoid the scroll black hole?
The method I would suggest is to practice delayed gratification, which is the opposite of instant gratification. We have the option of turning off our notifications and removing apps from our home screen. The harder it is to access social media apps, the less tempted you are to use it. Another option is to think of social media as a reward, by allowing yourself to engage with social media only after you have finished your work (or another boundary you set for yourself).
When we are on an app, we should ask ourselves: why are we engaging with this app in the first place? If you cannot think of a strong answer, the better option is to probably leave the app before you spend more time on it. We could also ask ourselves questions detailed in the Social Media Mental Checklist by GoodforMEdia member, Sonia.
I believe that learning to resist our urge to engage in pleasure when our work is not done is a valuable skill to have in life. Deleting social media altogether may not work for all, but we can recognize the benefits while we are on it. Then we can prioritize the bigger picture and our long-term goals, which would likely lead to better use of our time.
About the author:
Audrey is a GoodforMEdia member and current high school student in the Bay Area. She is enthusiastic about harnessing the power of technology for social good, especially on social media.