By Gabriella Bowes
Following the groundbreaking documentary-drama hybrid The Social Dilemma (2020), which explored the dangerous human impact of social networking with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations, the question of how social media is shaping our minds remains a pressing concern.
As we continue to navigate the intricate web of algorithms, notifications, and endless content, it’s imperative to examine the potential consequences of this digital immersion.
Are these digital platforms subtly reshaping our cognitive abilities, particularly our attention spans?
Kanishka Gupta has been a social media manager at Eightball Media for over 4 years now, running advertisements for clients on various social media platforms, and looking at trends of user engagement. Kanishka offers some insight into Mark Zuckerburg’s web, otherwise known as Facebook Meta.
“Meta as an organisation ever since they bought Instagram, WhatsApp, they’ve changed their algorithm in a way that has then led the masses to be more addicted to it.”
The company’s meticulous data collection, amassing a staggering 52,000 data points per user, allows it to tailor content to keep us hooked.
“The more you keep interacting with the platform the more they know learn about you to keep you on the platform for longer.”
“The reels are 15 to 20 seconds and because I work in marketing like for all of our client’s we would make video content that is short and sweet so people don’t get bored.”
The short-form content prevalent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok further exacerbates the problem. Kanishka notes, “The 15 to 20-second reels are designed to keep us engaged, but they’re also conditioning our brains to expect rapid-fire information.”
Research conducted by the Pew Research Centre indicates a correlation between increased cell phone usage and diminished classroom focus among adolescents. Forty-nine percent of respondents reported that non-academic technology use constituted a significant distraction.
The claim that humans now have shorter attention spans than goldfish has been circulating for some time, often attributed to a study conducted by Microsoft. While the specific study and its findings may be debated, the underlying concern about declining attention spans remains a valid subject of discussion.
The impact extends beyond individual habits. Schools in Queensland have recognised the issue, implementing “Away for The Day” bans on mobile phones during school hours.
Toby Smith, an English teacher with over two decades of experience and a father of two adult children, has firsthand knowledge of the recent phone ban and the behaviours of young adults in a digital age.
“They are allowed to bring the phones to school, but they aren’t allowed to use them during lesson time. Some schools use locked pouches and place them on students’ desks for visibility, which works well. Schools without this system may face challenges as students attempt to use their phones discreetly.”
“When I was at school bullying would be during school hours we didn’t have mobile phones. Now the worst bullying happens outside of school through social media.”
Away For The Day Poster https://www.awayfortheday.org/resources
“Phones are a constant temptation, even when they’re supposed to be locked away.”
The implications of these trends are far-reaching. Toby warns, “We’re witnessing a decline in engagement and critical thinking skills among students.”
Studies suggest that this constant stimulation can hinder our ability to develop creative solutions, think critically, and even contribute to neurological issues such as addiction and obsession.
“I think education has to change. Just observing young adults in class, most of them are disengaged. So, it’s a huge waste of time. I think what the majority of what kids are learning over the 5 hours of school they could probably learn in half an hour.”
“Things are getting very specific nowadays, and people need to have specific skills to do things and I think teaching hasn’t changed in terms of the has subjects and the testing and that one size fits all is failing I would say the majority of students.”
“Maybe we are losing some of that magic of the human brain being creative in a way because we are so dependent on AI so I do worry we are going to lose that aspect and we’re just going to become very good at finding and searching for things but not necessarily creating those ideas themselves.”
As we navigate this digital landscape, it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential consequences of excessive social media consumption. By understanding how these platforms operate and taking proactive steps to manage our digital habits, we can safeguard our cognitive abilities and create a healthier relationship with technology.
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