The Social Dilemma Explores Social Media's Dark Side

Summary

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The Social Dilemma is a 2020 American docudrama film directed by Jeff Orlowski and written by Orlowski, Davis Coombe, and Vickie Curtis. This documentary takes a deep dive into the negative social effects of social media and is interspersed with a dramatized narrative about a family of five who are increasingly affected by problematic social media use. The Social Dilemma premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2020, and was released on Netflix on September 9, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received generally positive reviews from critics. They praised its message and the use of interviews with established tech experts but criticized the narrative and the lack of nuance in addressing technological problems. The film provides a comprehensive look at the psychological underpinnings and manipulation techniques employed by social media and technology companies to addict users. People's online activities are monitored, tracked, and measured by these companies, who then use this data to build artificial intelligence models that predict user actions. Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, explains in the documentary that tech companies have three main goals: engagement, growth, and advertisement. The engagement goal is to increase usage and ensure that users continue scrolling. The growth goal is to ensure that users come back and invite friends, who in turn invite more friends. The advertisement goal is to make sure that while the first two goals are being achieved, the companies are also making as much money as possible from advertisements. Harris encapsulates this with the warning, "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product." Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at NYU Stern School of Business, also appears in the documentary, highlighting concerns about mental health in relation to social media. The film discusses the dangers of fake news and labels this phenomenon as a "disinformation-for-profit business model," where companies make more money by allowing unregulated messages to reach anyone for the best price. The dramatized narrative used in the documentary illustrates these issues through the story of a middle-class, average American family. The family members each interact with the internet in different ways. Ben, a teenage high school student, falls deeper into social media addiction and online radicalization. Isla, an adolescent, develops depression and low self-esteem due to social media's unrealistic beauty standards. Cassandra, an older teenager, does not have a mobile phone and is depicted as being free from online manipulation. Their mother and stepfather try to curb their children’s screen time but do not fully understand the factors at play. The narrative begins with Isla ignoring her mother's requests to set the table, followed by her becoming increasingly depressed after her appearance is criticized on social media. Cassandra criticizes Isla and Ben's problematic smartphone use, leading their mother to propose locking everyone's phones in a safe so they can have dinner together. When one phone receives a notification, Isla tries to open the safe and ultimately breaks it open with a tool, damaging Ben's phone screen. In return for a new phone screen, Ben promises his mother that he will not use his phone for a week. However, the AI, confused by his sudden inactivity, sends him a notification about his ex starting a new relationship, prompting Ben to break his promise and doomscroll to cope. The AI begins recommending radical centrist views, which quickly devolve into propaganda and conspiracy theories by the anti-democratic "Extreme Center" movement, radicalizing Ben and affecting his daily life to the point of near-isolation. Ultimately, Ben attends an Extreme Center rally that devolves into violence when similarly radicalized counter-protestors arrive. Cassandra learns that Ben is there and searches for him, but both are detained by riot police. At the end of the narrative, the AI merges into one entity while Ben's avatar becomes a human representation of himself, and they stare at each other. The film's dramatic portrayal of social media's effects is both a narrative device and a commentary on the real-world implications of digital addiction, misinformation, and mental health. This powerful juxtaposition of documentary interviews and fictional storytelling aims to underscore the urgent need for awareness and action in addressing the pervasive influence of social media on society. The Social Dilemma moves into a detailed exploration of the psychological techniques and manipulation strategies used by social media companies to addict users. These companies employ a variety of tactics to capture and retain the attention of their users, creating platforms designed to maximize engagement. Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, provides insight into the three main goals of tech companies: engagement, growth, and advertisement. The engagement goal focuses on increasing usage and ensuring that users continue scrolling through their feeds. The growth goal aims to ensure users come back and invite friends, who in turn invite more friends. Finally, the advertisement goal is to make sure that while the first two goals are being achieved, the companies are also maximizing revenue from advertisements. Harris succinctly encapsulates this approach with the warning, "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product." This statement highlights the underlying business model of social media companies, where the true commodity is the user's attention and data. Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in this process. These companies use sophisticated algorithms to monitor, track, and measure every aspect of user activity. This data is then used to build AI models that can predict user actions with remarkable accuracy. By understanding and anticipating what keeps users engaged, these AI systems can tailor content to individual preferences, effectively creating a personalized experience designed to keep users hooked. The implications of this data-driven approach are profound. It means that social media platforms are constantly evolving to become more addictive. The AI learns from user behavior, refining its predictions and recommendations to ensure users spend more time on the platform. This creates a feedback loop where the platform becomes more engaging, drawing in users for longer periods and making it increasingly difficult for them to disconnect. In essence, the film argues that social media platforms exploit human psychology to drive engagement. Techniques such as infinite scrolling, notifications, and algorithmically curated content are all designed to manipulate user behavior. This manipulation raises ethical concerns about the extent to which these platforms prioritize profit over the well-being of their users. The documentary underscores the need for greater awareness of these manipulation strategies. By understanding how social media companies operate, users can take steps to mitigate the impact of these platforms on their lives. This includes practices such as turning off notifications, setting time limits on usage, and being critical of the content served by algorithms. The Social Dilemma paints a sobering picture of the psychological manipulation inherent in social media use. It calls for a reevaluation of the relationship between users and technology, advocating for a more mindful and informed approach to digital consumption. The examination of the psychological manipulation strategies employed by social media companies naturally leads to concerns about their impact on mental health. The Social Dilemma delves into the mental health issues associated with social media usage, particularly among younger adolescents. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at NYU Stern School of Business, provides critical insights into the correlation between social media and the rising rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide among American teen girls. Haidt highlights that the pervasive use of social media platforms has created an environment where adolescents are constantly exposed to curated images and unrealistic standards of beauty and success. This exposure can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. The documentary presents alarming statistics to underscore the severity of this issue. Since the advent of social media, there has been a significant rise in hospitalization and suicide rates among young people. Specifically, the number of hospitalizations remained stable until around 2011 but then rose by 62 percent in older teen girls, aged fifteen to nineteen, and by 189 percent in younger teen girls, aged ten to fourteen, since 2009 in the United States. Similarly, the rates of suicide have increased by 70 percent in older teen girls and by 151 percent in younger teen girls compared to the period from 2001 to 2010. Haidt attributes these troubling trends to the unique pressures of growing up in a digital age. Individuals born after 1996 have been immersed in a society where social media usage is normalized, resulting in consistent exposure to overwhelming content from a young age. This constant connectivity can exacerbate feelings of isolation and anxiety, as adolescents struggle to navigate the complexities of their online and offline identities. The societal implications of these mental health trends are profound. The rise in depression and anxiety among adolescents can lead to long-term consequences, affecting their academic performance, relationships, and overall well-being. As these young individuals become adults, the mental health crisis could place additional strain on healthcare systems and contribute to broader societal challenges. The Social Dilemma emphasizes the need for parents, educators, and policymakers to address the mental health impact of social media. This includes promoting digital literacy, encouraging healthy online habits, and providing support for those affected by social media-induced mental health issues. In conclusion, the documentary highlights the urgent need to recognize and mitigate the mental health risks associated with social media usage. By fostering greater awareness and implementing proactive measures, society can work towards creating a healthier digital environment for the next generation. The documentary further explores the dangers inherent in the spread of misinformation through social media. It highlights what Tristan Harris calls the "disinformation-for-profit business model," where platforms prioritize engagement over accuracy, allowing fake news to proliferate unchecked. Social media platforms have become fertile ground for the rapid spread of unregulated messages. These platforms are designed to maximize user engagement, and sensational or emotionally charged content often generates more clicks, shares, and interactions. Consequently, false information can spread much faster and wider than verified news, as algorithms prioritize content that keeps users engaged for longer periods. This unregulated dissemination of information leads to significant ideological divisions and societal tension. By exposing users to targeted content based on their previous interactions, social media platforms create echo chambers where individuals are primarily exposed to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. This can polarize communities, as different groups become entrenched in their viewpoints, often based on misleading or false information. The Social Dilemma presents several examples of how misinformation can influence public opinion and behavior, contributing to societal unrest. One poignant illustration is the spread of conspiracy theories and propaganda, which can lead to real-world consequences such as violence and political instability. The documentary cites instances where misinformation has fueled extremist movements, incited violence, and undermined democratic processes. The film also discusses how misinformation can erode trust in traditional institutions, such as the media, government, and scientific communities. As people become increasingly skeptical of credible sources, they may turn to alternative narratives that align with their biases, further perpetuating the cycle of misinformation. The societal implications of this trend are far-reaching. Misinformation can distort public discourse, hinder effective policymaking, and create an environment of distrust and division. It can also have tangible impacts on public health, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where false information about the virus and vaccines led to confusion and resistance to public health measures. The documentary underscores the need for greater regulation and accountability in the digital information landscape. It calls for social media companies to take responsibility for the content on their platforms and to implement measures to curb the spread of false information. This includes flagging or removing fraudulent content, promoting verified sources, and providing users with the tools to critically evaluate the information they encounter online. In essence, The Social Dilemma highlights the urgent need to address the spread of misinformation on social media. By recognizing the dangers and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, society can work towards a more informed and cohesive public discourse. The Social Dilemma employs a dramatized narrative to illustrate the complex issues discussed throughout the documentary. This fictional narrative revolves around a typical middle-class American family, providing a tangible example of how social media's psychological manipulation, impact on mental health, and spread of misinformation can affect everyday lives. The family consists of Ben, a teenage high school student; Isla, his adolescent sister; Cassandra, their older sister who does not use a mobile phone; their mother; and their stepfather. Each family member's interaction with social media highlights different facets of its influence and potential harm. Ben's story is a central focus, depicting his descent into social media addiction and eventual online radicalization. Initially engaged in typical teenage activities, Ben gradually becomes consumed by his online presence. The algorithms behind his social media platforms begin to recommend increasingly extreme content, leading him down a path of radical centrist views that devolve into propaganda and conspiracy theories. This transformation isolates Ben from his family and peers, culminating in his attendance at a violent rally organized by the extremist group he follows online. Isla's experience centers on the impact of social media on her mental health. She becomes deeply affected by the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by the platforms she uses. This constant exposure leads to depression and a decline in self-esteem, exacerbated by negative comments and comparisons with her peers. Isla's struggle highlights the broader issue of how social media can distort perceptions of self-worth and contribute to mental health crises among adolescents. Cassandra serves as a contrasting figure, representing someone who has managed to avoid the pitfalls of social media by not owning a mobile phone. Her detachment from the digital world offers a glimpse of what life can be like without the pervasive influence of social media, though her attempts to help her siblings navigate their issues often fall short. The narrative also features anthropomorphized tech executives representing the Engagement, Growth, and Advertisement AIs. These characters operate from a "behind-the-screen" control room, constantly finding new ways to keep users like Ben and Isla addicted to their platforms. Their actions emphasize the depersonalized nature of social media companies, which view users as data points rather than individuals with real-world consequences. Critics have had mixed reactions to the effectiveness of this dramatized narrative. Some praise it for providing a relatable and engaging way to understand the documentary's themes, arguing that the fictional elements help to humanize the abstract concepts of algorithmic manipulation and digital addiction. Others, however, find the narrative to be overly simplistic and lacking nuance, detracting from the documentary's overall message. The portrayal of the tech executives, in particular, has been described as "campy" and "silly," with some feeling that it undermines the seriousness of the issues being discussed. Despite these criticisms, the dramatized narrative serves as a powerful tool to convey the real-world impact of social media. It offers a vivid depiction of how these platforms can infiltrate and influence the lives of ordinary people, reinforcing the documentary's call for greater awareness and action. In conclusion, The Social Dilemma's use of a fictional narrative to illustrate the dangers of social media provides a compelling, though sometimes controversial, complement to its documentary elements. By showcasing the experiences of a single family, the film underscores the pervasive and personal nature of the issues at hand, urging viewers to reflect on their own interactions with digital technology.