The surprising roots of 4 features that superglue us to screens : NPR

Taken together, these four features can create a trancelike state that can keep us stuck on social media apps or video games for hours. Children are particularly vulnerable.

Meta and Google are appealing landmark court verdicts that found their social media products liable for endangering and harming children. The two cases, which were decided in 2022 and 2023, resulted in damages totaling over $1 billion. Researchers have identified four specific features that contribute to the addictive nature of these products: infinite scrolling, variable rewards, social validation, and autoplay. These features are designed to activate the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and encouraging users to continue interacting with the app.

The addictive nature of social media apps has a direct impact on the mental health and well-being of children, with studies showing a significant increase in anxiety and depression among heavy users. Parents who pay for their children's smartphones and data plans are essentially funding their exposure to these addictive products. The average household with children spends over $100 per month on mobile services, making this a significant financial burden. This expense is often overlooked as a contributing factor to the growing mental health crisis among young people.

The development of addictive social media features is rooted in the tech industry's pursuit of growth and profit. Insiders know that the goal of these features is to maximize user engagement, regardless of the potential harm to users. Historically, the tech industry has followed a pattern of prioritizing growth over user well-being, with companies like tobacco and gambling industries preceding them in using similar tactics to hook users. This pattern of behavior has led to increased scrutiny and regulation of the tech industry, with lawmakers and regulators seeking to hold companies accountable for the harm caused by their products.

The appeals of the landmark court verdicts are expected to be decided by the end of 2024, with a ruling that could have significant implications for the tech industry. The decision will be closely watched by investors and lawmakers, who are considering new regulations to limit the use of addictive features in social media apps. Interestingly, some tech industry insiders are now speaking out against the use of these features, with a former Meta executive recently stating that the company's pursuit of growth and profit has come at the cost of user well-being, and that a new approach is needed to prioritize the safety and well-being of users.