Addictions come in many forms, as humans are susceptible to many different types of stimuli, from drugs and alcohol to pornography and food. The modern digital world adds a new problem: addiction to our feeds.
All online platforms are based on a business model of attention. The longer you stay, the more you scroll and the more ads you see. Today’s advertising is dynamic, instantly recording users’ likes and engagement with text, videos, and images to adjust algorithms to deliver more of the same, delighting users, and discreetly Tailor the ads you see using protected psychometric profiles.
When does it become too powerful? Is it too accurate? Will it become too manipulative? Or will it become a national security threat?
In the case of TikTok, the company’s algorithms are so powerful that they’re classified as secrets, not just trade secrets. State secrets By the People’s Republic of China. And it’s probably running on you or your child’s digital devices right now.
Peter Schweitzer and Eric Eggers in conversation scroll addiction In the latest episode of Drill down.
TikTok, the ubiquitous app popular among teenagers, has been getting a lot of media attention since new legislation was just passed that requires its government-linked owner, ByteDance, to sell TikTok or it will be banned in the U.S. But U.S.-owned social media platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube and SnapChat also benefit from scrolling addiction—they just aren’t known for it.
New York City sues TikTok and Instagram for ‘addicting’ kidsThe New York State Legislature is considering it. Two banknotesThe first, the Child Addictive Feed Exploitation Act (SAFE), would allow parents to choose not to provide algorithmically curated feeds to their children. Instead, it feeds you a chronological feed of content from users you already follow. The second bill, the New York State Children’s Data Protection Act, would prohibit all online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or selling the personal data of anyone under the age of 18. However, this does not apply if you have obtained her informed consent or in other necessary cases. Both bills have broad bipartisan support and are likely to pass.
Peter scoffs at their claims, noting that big tech companies hire expensive lobbyists to fight these and similar bills. Their lobbyists argue that “hate speech” cannot be stopped without the use of algorithms, and even argue that the bill would harm immigrants.
A lobbyist He is quoted as saying The law’s age and background verification requirements “could make it impossible for people without government identification, such as undocumented immigrants, to access the Internet and find legal services.”
As governments move to tackle youth scrolling addiction, the tech industry has spent millions on lobbying: Amazon and Facebook combined spend twice as much as the oil industry on lobbying lawmakers in Washington, Schweitzer said.
He added that big tech companies can and do hire the children of influential politicians as lawmakers. The Government Accountability Institute reportedOne relevant example is Facebook’s hiring of the daughter of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Schweitzer’s latest book, blood moneypoints out that China values TikTok and is ensuring that the same addictive algorithm does not influence its own youth. He referred to this as China’scognitive war” is trending in America.By the way, TikTok is rejected the ad he wanted to buy To promote the book.
The addictive nature of social media algorithms is highlighted in the 2018 documentary “creepy linesA program called “The Future of Technology” that Schweitzer and co-host Eric Eggers were involved with. I recall interviewee Professor Jordan Peterson pointing out that people tend to use technology for a long time before learning how to use it properly.
“Online addiction is real, and it’s not getting better,” Eggers said.
For more articles by Peter Schweitzer, visit Drill down Podcast.
