Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 371: Is it Finally Time to Leave Social Media?
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Sep 22, 2025 Explore the pressing question of whether it's time to quit social media, as Cal delves into the detrimental effects of curated conversation platforms. He outlines the three core harms they inflict on users, from distractions to disassociation. Hear his insights on the addictive nature of algorithms and the echo chambers they create. The discussion extends to practical advice for parents on blocking content, along with a case study of a musician's decision to leave social media. Finally, he critiques congressional efforts to regulate these platforms and offers reflections on a life free from them.
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Curated Conversation Platforms Are Fundamentally Harmful
- Curated conversation platforms (Twitter/Threads) combine large social conversations with algorithmic curation and create systemic harms.
- These harms are fundamental to the technology, not accidental implementation bugs.
The Three Connected Harms
- Three connected harms are distraction, demoderation, and disassociation which form a downward slope.
- Sliding from distraction to disassociation links everyday overuse to violent, nihilistic outcomes.
Algorithms Train Your Motivation Circuits
- Algorithmic curation optimizes engagement by learning what triggers your short-term motivation circuits.
- This constant dopamine-driven reinforcement makes resisting frequent use extremely difficult.
