Social media platforms use psychological manipulation techniques—variable rewards, dopamine loops, and infinite scroll—to capture attention and form addictive habits, resulting in measurable mental health impacts, productivity loss, and political polarization that require both individual action and regulatory intervention.
Big Tech companies monetize our attention through addictive algorithms that generate over $600 billion annually while causing measurable cognitive harm—reducing attention spans by 33% since 2015 and costing the global economy $450 billion in lost productivity. Former tech insiders, researchers, and policymakers now argue these companies should pay reparations for systematically exploiting psychological vulnerabilities. Emerging frameworks include direct user compensation, mandatory algorithmi...
Tech platforms use psychological tactics like infinite scroll, variable rewards, and algorithmic personalization to hijack attention and maximize engagement. These design choices harm mental health and productivity, but understanding the mechanisms and implementing practical strategies can help users reclaim control.
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