Social media platforms are now deeply ingrained in how everyone communicates, connects, and consumes information online. The offline world exists now to be uploaded to the online world of social media.
However, social media platforms are facing intense scrutiny and backlash due to a variety of factors. They spread misinformation and harmful content, have deep privacy concerns and also face legal challenges.
The companies are not getting all this out of nothing. There is no smoke without fire, as they say. There are various negative effects the platforms can have on users. It can range from privacy concerns to some grave mental health issues.
We explore some critical issues on why some social media companies are caught in the crossfire.
A Serious Impact on Mental Health
Numerous studies have confirmed that social media impacts mental health, and it’s not in a good way. There is a correlation between excessive social media use and anxiety, depression, and body image concerns, especially among the younger generation.
41 percent of them rate their mental health as being very poor, according to the American Psychology Association.
The danger is real because it gets deep into self-harm and suicidal tendencies. Why is that? The reason is the addictive nature of these platforms, which are designed to be consumed more and more, with quick recommendations and autoplay features. The app designers are focused not on a user’s mental well-being but on making the app super addictive.
For example, TikTok admitted in court recently that its app is hyper-personalized to become massively addictive in just 35 minutes!
One high-profile case is the Snapchat Lawsuit, which alleges that the platform design and features contribute to addictive behavior and mental health problems among teens.
It also mentions Snapchat’s Snapstreaks, which encourage users to send daily messages without fail to maintain a streak. The side-effect is, of course, compulsive use.
There is also pressure on many users to portray a perfect life on social media. This is further complicated by a constant comparison with others. All of this leads to disrupted sleep patterns and increased stress among young people.
Privacy Concerns: Social Media Companies Not Doing Enough
Most people provide social media platforms with access to vast amounts of personal information, ranging from location data to online behavior. Not to mention all the events that keep happening in their lives, like attending a concert or a dinner with family. Most life-changing moments are also captured on social media.
Marriages, for instance, are broadcast using pictures and videos on Instagram for likes and comments.
The companies have repeatedly been shown to have dubious data collection practices. Take the recent privacy policy change by Meta, formerly Facebook.
They informed users that their public images, posts, comments, and stories would be used as training data for improving their AI. That is without any user consent, and there are no options to opt out, except for users in the EU.
Harmful Content: The Dark Side of Social Media
Harmful content is another problem on social media, with misinformation, hate speech, and cyberbullying rampant on most networks.
The problem with harmful content is that it gets viral quickly and can have real-world consequences.
Most social media algorithms prioritize engagement, and sensationalist content is often prioritized just because more people are looking at it in a short period.
Accurate, balanced information isn’t that engaging or even interesting for many users. Harmful content, on the other hand, spreads faster due to its toxic nature and is also harder to moderate.
What Legal Experts Advice
Legal advocacy plays a crucial role in holding the social media giants accountable for their actions and its consequences. TorHoerman Law recommends that individuals affected negatively by social media resulting in mental health issues should be aware of their legal options.
What Needs to Change?
There is a need for comprehensive measures to address these problems associated with social media use.
Social media platforms should have algorithm transparency, where they clearly explain how it works and what content is promoted. They need to tell us if they are regulating some content or amplifying it on purpose.
Data privacy regulations need to be strict. This will restrict the amount of data that can be collected.
Apart from this, social media companies should provide resources to users who are experiencing mental health issues due to addictive use.
The social media giants have changed how people communicate but have opened a Pandora’s box. Public pressure, legal battles, and regulatory changes are necessary for them to adopt ethical practices.
