How I answered this social media discussion online:

“The culture of social media can make these groups feel like our own families (or even better than that).”

With social media, agreement gets addictive (Captain Cassidy, OnlySky)

Well, my family of origin was abusive, so that’s a mark against the culture. Plus, my natural introversion (which was mistaken as social anxiety and inherent psychological damage growing up) keeps me from engaging too much. Solitude is my drug.

“The very algorithms that social media platforms use to ensnare the attention of users can be easily turned toward pushing false beliefs, fake news, and other such drivel at them. Even YouTube (a social media platform itself, though it doesn’t present itself quite the same way as, say, Facebook) goes that way. … Researchers and users alike call this phenomenon ‘the YouTube rabbit hole.’ Users have reported seeing extremist content fairly quickly after entering said hole.”

With social media, agreement gets addictive (Captain Cassidy, OnlySky)

I’ve seen that in action. When I click on certain videos, I’m no longer surprised when some of the next recommended videos are for Fox News and other conservative-leaning offerings.

“Every single time someone picks up their smartphone, they hope to find something that’s interesting to read or watch from someone in their network.”

With social media, agreement gets addictive (Captain Cassidy, OnlySky)

Which is why my one-and-only mobile phone is not “smart” (thank goodness). I couldn’t engage in that fashion on it even if I wanted to (which I most certainly don’t).

“If you are not paying for the service, then you’re not their customer–you’re the product that these platforms sell to their real customers. Their goal is to keep you on their platform for as long as they can.”

With social media, agreement gets addictive (Captain Cassidy, OnlySky)

Which is why I usually limit my interactions (30-minute to 1-hour blocks). When time’s up, I get off (so to speak), no matter what.

“Accordingly, limit what you share with these platforms (unless you just like the idea of a corporation having all that information about you).”

With social media, agreement gets addictive (Captain Cassidy, OnlySky)

I already do (and I don’t). My YouTube account profile is horse poopy (a fake profile). I do the same for many of my other online accounts. If and when any of those companies “obtains” my meat-space details, I delete my existing account and start again from scratch with bogus data. If I can’t do this, I don’t return. I deleted my Facebook account when my personal information was requested.

I guess it helps that I didn’t grow up in the digital era.