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Research Shows it’s Possible to Improve Social Media
Switching an algorithm’s motivation toward rewarding accuracy over attention doesn’t decrease engagement, but it does make the internet safer.
While I enjoy social media as much as the next person, I’ve also been fascinated by watching how it’s transformed over the years. I mean, I’m one of the last few millennials who had a childhood without the internet. Our family got our first home computer when I was about thirteen, and was in college when I got my first Facebook page, followed by Instagram in my early 20s.
Social media and its role in our society has grown from a fun way to connect with others to basically becoming a hive mind for humanity. Like anything new and transformative, we’ve observed its impact, and now we must figure out how to manage it. Research continues to show that algorithms influence us more than we realize, for better or worse. Lately, it’s been for the worse, but research shows it could be for the better.
Current Issues with Social Media
I’m sure you’re well aware that Meta’s algorithms for Instagram and Facebook cause actual harm to the mental health of youth, especially teen girls. Plus, a recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal…
