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Course: Social media literacy > Unit 2
Lesson 1: Introduction to the attention economy unitIntroduction to the attention economy unit
What is your attention worth?
Overview
The seemingly free social media products we use every day help us to stay connected, learn new things, and find information. But they also analyze our actions and the data we share, using what they learn about us to trick us into paying attention to them more than we want. They sell that attention—and ultimately changes in what we think and how we behave—to advertisers. These social media products are caught in a race to capture our attention in order to make money.
In this issue guide, you’ll learn:
- Why our attention is valuable to social media companies.
- How that value shapes the design of products we use every day.
- How the financial incentives of these products create harm to us and to society as a whole.
By understanding these key points, you’ll begin to see how you can help push for technology that aligns with humanity’s best interests.
Introduction
As the generation that has grown up with social media, you know it has incredible power. That power can build connections, lift up our voices, and help us solve problems.
But social media can also distract us, divide us, and downgrade our collective ability to solve problems. Consider these excerpts from MySocialTruth, a story bank project for young people to share their experience on and off social media:
“I constantly refreshed my likes as they came in, spent hours reading and replying to comments and taking in other people's posts. I became obsessed with living what social media promotes as a worthwhile and perfect life.”
–Anuja, Age 20, Fresno
“My morning time ritual became an afternoon ritual to a night ritual, to an all day ritual where I would habitually check my phone every hour, eagerly waiting for the next notification to come in.”
–Sam, Age 18, New York City
For Anuja and Sam, the addiction and distortion they faced on social media was not an example of technology that supports our wellbeing and larger goals.
Want to join the conversation?
Isn't it a bit ironic that this course teaches you how to combat social media and technology addiction. But this course' s solution to the problem is by having/making more technology to get rid of it.
Whenever a new technology says and looks too good to be true and provides massive benefits, it will always be the opposite and cause another set of effects that can be also considered unhealthy. Solving the problem of tech addiction with more tech is just stupid in itself.
So is there an alternative solution than what the course is saying? (Referring to this: "By understanding these key points, you’ll begin to see how you can help push for technology that aligns with humanity’s best interests.")
If not, then what else?(8 votes)- the simplest way is to find yourself a hobbit and stick to it.(3 votes)
Do you guys know about the story of Adam and Eve? How they ate fruit from the Good and Bad Tree? What if, thinking in this way, Technology is helping us, but at the same time causing harm? What do you think would happen in the next few thousand years if this problem is never resolved. I understand that I am digging deep here, but it is weird and somewhat true to think about. Please tell me your ideas on this.(3 votes)
What do you look at to stare at your phone for hrs and hrs on end?(3 votes)
something that happens with TikTok, YouTube shorts, and like insta reels...is that you get addicted to those short videos and when you will be watching you want instant entertainment every time that 15 second vid doesn't grab your attention you swipe up...and your mindset will end up being you can't wait longer then a short amount of time to be entertained or interested after that short amount of time goes by you lose interest quickly... it's almost like it shortens your attention span...(4 votes)
i aint reading allat(0 votes)
how not to be addicted to be on social media.(2 votes)- How bad can an addiction to your phone become?(2 votes)
What are some stuff we see in social media that we are addicted to?(2 votes)- Tik Tok
Video Games etc.(1 vote)
- Why do we have to learn this.(2 votes)
because you'll become a mindless oger who can only scroll, digital shopping, and eat(1 vote)
- How bad can an addiction to your phone become?(2 votes)
Physical Health Effects:
Sleep Deficit: Spending excessive time on your phone, especially before bedtime, can disrupt your sleep patterns and lead to inadequate rest.
Eye Problems: Staring at screens for extended periods can cause eye strain, dry eyes, and even blurry vision.
Headaches and Migraines: Frequent phone use may contribute to headaches and migraines.
Neck Pain: Looking down at your phone frequently can strain your neck muscles.
Thumb or Wrist Pain: Repetitive actions (such as typing or swiping) can lead to discomfort in the thumbs and wrists.
Loss of Interest in Other Activities: Excessive phone use may reduce engagement in other hobbies or social interactions.
Mental Health Effects:
Anxiety and Depression: Constant connectivity can lead to anxiety, especially if you’re always checking notifications or fearing missing out (FOMO).
Reduced Cognition: Spending too much time on your phone can affect concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function.
Relationship Conflicts: Neglecting real-life interactions due to phone use can strain relationships.
Poor Academic or Work Performance: Excessive phone use may impact productivity and focus.
Withdrawal Symptoms:
Feeling irritable or negative when going without your phone.
Being unable to go without your phone for long periods.
Using your phone so much that it negatively affects physical or mental health.(1 vote)
How does one become less addicted to their phone? Because it is really hard.(1 vote)- 1.Set boundaries with you phones help.
2. Put your phone away at night.
3. Reduce your notifications.
4. Seek professional help(3 votes)