The Daily A Strategy to Treat Big Tech Like Big Tobacco
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Nov 15, 2023 Natasha Singer, a Technology reporter for The New York Times, dives into the historic lawsuits against Meta, accusing the social media giant of exploiting children. She discusses the compelling evidence behind these claims, including whistleblower insights and internal documents revealing the addictive features designed for platforms like Instagram. The conversation highlights the urgent mental health risks for youth and the ethical implications of prioritizing profit over well-being. Singer also illuminates the complexities of legal accountability in the tech industry.
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Origin of Lawsuits
- The 2020 docudrama "The Social Dilemma" sparked concern among state regulators about social media's impact on youth.
- This led to investigations and lawsuits against Meta, focusing on Instagram's alleged harm to young users.
Instagram as a Slot Machine
- The lawsuits allege that Instagram, like a slot machine, is designed to be endless and hard to stop using.
- The constant notifications create dopamine hits, social pressure, and FOMO, overriding young people's brains.
Harms of Instagram
- The lawsuits claim Instagram causes psychological harm, such as increased depression, anxiety, and body image issues, especially among young women.
- They also allege concrete harms like bullying and unwanted sexual advances, citing a whistleblower's report.
