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FluentlyForward

The Psychology of Social Media feat. Dr. Steve Rathje

Jul 19, 2024
Join Dr. Steve Rathje, a psychologist, as he discusses the psychology behind social media virality, the impact of smartphone usage, effects on mental health, changes in social media content, Dead Internet Theory, and personality quizzes. Explore how negativity drives engagement, challenges in changing minds, and the reliability of personality assessments. Delve into the influence of social media on mental health, the rise of ads, and the prevalence of AI bots in online content.
01:00:27

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Spending excessive time on social media can lead to mental health issues, especially in Gen Z.
  • Unfollowing polarizing accounts enhances social media experience and reduces negative feelings.

Deep dives

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Spending excessive time on social media, especially among adolescents, can have detrimental effects on mental health. Research indicates a rise in rates of depression and anxiety among Gen Z, linked to increased time spent on social media and reduced in-person interactions. This is exacerbated by the negative content, such as toxicity, false information, and polarization, that tends to go viral on social media platforms.

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