Freakonomics Radio 579. Are You Caught in a Social Media Trap?
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Mar 7, 2024 
Leonardo Bursztyn, a University of Chicago economics professor, and Benjamin Handel from UC Berkeley dive into the fascinating world of social media traps. They discuss how social environments shape our choices, revealing why so many users wish social media didn’t exist yet feel compelled to stay. The conversation explores how peer influence drives users to avoid deactivating their accounts, drawing parallels between social media addiction and cigarette dependency. Ultimately, they examine the societal impacts of these platforms and question their inherent value in our lives.
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Platinum Credit Cards
- Bursztyn's interest in how social environments shape decisions started with research on platinum credit cards.
- He noticed companies constantly introduce fancier versions, creating demand even if unwanted.
Acting Wife Study
- Bursztyn's "Acting Wife" study examined gender norms and career aspirations among MBA students.
- Women presented less ambitious career goals when they thought their classmates would see their responses.
Social Media's Dual Nature
- Early research celebrated social media's positive impacts, like facilitating coordination against oppressive regimes.
- Later studies revealed downsides, including potentially negative effects on society, such as increased xenophobia.