Week 7: Hold my algorithm

Plus: Why the kids are (still) alright

It’s been a minute! In week 4 I started a small neuroscience-inspired experiment to pause and label what I’m feeling before I reach for the screen again.

I also discovered an app (shout-out to my friend Rob) called OneSec which forces users to do just that. This digital Mary Poppins knows what’s good for you and will make you wait up to two minutes to gain access to whichever app you are most addicted to, then it will have you choose how you feel, after which it will get you to set your own time limit for it. No cheating!

I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want.

This app absolutely works to curb screen time, but it also made me ask the broader question:

Why do we need a nanny?

Well, the short answer is, the algorithm is bloody compelling and it’s not our fault. The longer answer will take us through a journey of compulsion loops, awe and admiration, and content reinforcement. So buckle up!

Flying umbrellas could have been the next big invention.

1. Scrolling behaviour maps well onto the model of “compulsion loop”.

   That is a cycle of actions designed to encourage repeated behaviour by providing a reward, often dopamine, that creates a sense of pleasure or satisfaction. We basically have a slot machine at our fingertips. These loops trigger dopamine hits that make us repeat simple action (clicks, swipes) in pursuit of short bursts of novelty and reward.

This visual by the Social Media Research Institute sums it up.

2. Emotionally-charged content. We love it! For content to be compelling, it has to induce either awe and admiration or straight up anger. If it’s not charged, we don’t want it. Jonah Berger’s work focused on this. If a piece of content “just” makes us relaxed or sad, we are less likely to engage with it, so the algorithm downgrades it (though I am vibing with this relaxing lofi Japanese playlist, and so is half of the internet, so exceptions do exist).

   

   This is how we feel when the algorithm serves up the right content.

   3. Last but not least, we have content reinforcement. This is the algorithm’s functionality which keeps us seeing more of what we are interested in, creating the so-called echo chambers: not being exposed to any information that challenges our pre-existing world views. This can, in the long term, influence how we talk to one another, what we buy, how we vote, and more.

   There is a fine balance there: we want to consume fresh content, but still in line with our tastes. Say you like Aperol Spritz and want to try something NEW, so you have a Limoncello Spritz and call it a day.

   

   Stay in your comfort zone.

What is the solution?

These researchers found out last year that when they disabled the algorithm of an addictive social media app during the experiment, the users became less interested overall in the app, and didn’t really get back to it afterwards. They also reported better cognitive competence (but, you know, it’s self reported, so take this with a grain of salt).

You can practice this today. Delete, say, the Youtube app, from your phone. Then go back to it on the clunky browser version and see what it serves up when it does not have the faintest clue who you are. When I did this, the first three videos I got were: a video in Korean (?) about breakdancing, a video about beating Squid game in Roblox (??), and another about cutting dogs’ hair (with a Spanish voiceover). I just closed the browser and went on with my day.

The kids are still alright

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Yes, but children and teenagers don’t have even our ounce of self-control. What can we do to protect them?” You weren’t thinking that? Just me? Alright then.

The good news is many parents, schools, and now even governments, are enforcing restrictions when it comes to smartphone usage for children and teens. But what surprised me the most is how well-spoken kids are on the topic. Click below for the video:

Their judgement is more sound than that of many smartphone-using adults.

I think we tend to underestimate the common sense of young people that have been raised around devices. Just because a technology is around and available, doesn’t automatically make it cool. The way these kids speak about brick phones is pretty encouraging.

I think they’re on to something.