Have you ever told yourself that you would study, only to find yourself scrolling through social media for hours, and accomplishing nothing? I have. 

Now… is the algorithm truly beneficial for us psychologically, especially towards the younger generation? 

According to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey, 50% of students use social media while  doing homework. This suggests that social media has become an “addiction” among students and a distraction from their learning, potentially decreasing their productivity and concentration. 

The global average attention span has dropped from 2.5 minutes, to 47 seconds according to Gloria Mark; a psychologist at the University of California,  (Khanna, 2024). This alarms us about the negative effects of social media algorithms. Although social media can provide us with interesting content that we want to watch, it consequently decreases our concentration on a long task and to process information. (Breaks & Attention, n.d.).

Moreover, algorithms also lead to echo chambers, which occurs when you hear a certain perspective or opinion on a certain matter again and again, leading to failure to recognise the varying viewpoints. For example, a former kick-boxer went viral on social media in 2022 for his extremism and misogynistic statements. This caused a snowball effect, meaning the algorithm delivers extreme content to users as entertainment, leading to the exposure of extreme and misogynistic ideologies amongst the youth in social media, affecting individuals’ mental health and behaviours (Weale, 2024).

However, would you choose a low-quality video over a high-quality one produced by a content creator? Algorithms ensure that we are presented with high quality videos that are not only aesthetically pleasing to our eyes, but also rich quality content that we can engage with. This enhances our viewing experience, especially when we are so exhausted with our school work and just want to rot on social media. 

Additionally, It can increase connectivity amongst the youth, where those with similar interest, culture, or values can share their thoughts and opinions comfortably. For example, individuals can follow certain pages or groups that resonate with their passions, whether it be art, music, biodiversity, or mental health etc. this can lead to the exchange of ideas and the discovery of new perspectives, broadening our understanding of the world around us (Lee & Janna, 2017).

How can we mitigate the negative effects of social media algorithms?

Take breaks from social media and enjoy activities that you like! For example, check out my “basic fail-proof cookie recipes you should try out!” and try baking something you like eating!

Plan out times for social media use and minimise unintentional scrolls. This controls how much you use social media per day and organises your day so that you can be productive and a wise user on social media. 

Keep track of social media’s impact on your academic performance and your mental health. If you feel unmotivated or inconfident about your looks or body, consider consuming positive content and avoid spending time on negative content.

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