Algorithms shape personalities
You're not a scrolling zombie! Do what you gotta do to be present because the world is more than Instagram.
Digitally Exhausted came to be because I wanted a place to share my thoughts on tech’s societal impact. My writing covers social media’s spaghetti-like complexities, internet culture, action steps to balance digital life, Big Tech, and anything my fingertips desire.
Reading—or listening—to Digitally Exhausted, I hope you get inspired to design a digital life for you, not default or opt-in to one.
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Pssssst… To the listeners tuning in, I talk slowly. If slow talkers are not your thing, I suggest increasing the voiceover speed to 1.5x.
A few weeks ago I watched a YouTube video called why tiktok is worse than we thought, which was shared around the time TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chew, testified before Congress.
The video is extremely fascinating, not only because of the way Rowena breaks down the TikTok-Chinese government relationship concerns but the provoking thoughts you’re left with. It’s a well-put-together video and gives crucial context. But if you watch, be warned, it can lead to a WTH mind implosion.
What detonated mine was a viewer comment:
I was shaken to my core when Rowena read this out loud in her video.
While TikTok is being banned because of data privacy and security issues, we are missing a big opportunity to spark change: How are we going to address the fact that social media algorithms shape us as people?
We consume content differently
Content is tailored to a person based on how they interact in an app. If you like a lot of videos from one creator/account, you’ll start to see more of their videos. The same thing happens with the type of content. If you’re liking a lot of videos of Beyonce’s current tour—like I am—you’re going to see a lot more Beyonce content. This is thanks to social media algorithms.
But do you know that what we see on TikTok is different from what people see on China’s version of TikTok, Douyin?
(Side note, I tried to see if my VPN would let me “be in China” so I could scroll on Douyin for myself, but that was not an option.)
There are discussions—which Rowena points out in her video—about the different versions of TikTok. But woah. Hold up. Don’t we see different content on social media already because of the way social media algorithms work? Yes. But this is different.
To use Rowena’s example in her video, in the States, we get a content variety pack of reckless challenges, inspirational commentary, what I eat in a day vlogs, and aww-inducing pet videos. Chinese TikTok, as Rowena puts it, is the spinach version, promoting videos of astronauts and hard-working citizens. There’s a clear difference. However, I will point out the fact that we do not have access to Douyin so to make a judgment relying on other people is a hard thing to do.
I hope this is a discussion the US is having with TikTok. If so, I’m curious about their response. I did not watch the entire hearing from when Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress, so perhaps this was addressed.
What about other social networks
To get this out of the way, I have no trust in Meta. I’m not a social media hater but I would consider myself to be in a love-hate relationship with social media.
Ever since the whistle was blown on Facebook, I haven’t been able to trust Meta—or give them my trust. If you’re not familiar with this situation:
I have something to admit… I still use Meta applications even after Frances blew the whistle.
I’ve been in this predicament for years now which started around the time I went through my worst period of digital exhaustion and was working with social media management clients, all during the time period Frances blew the whistle. It was a hectic time for me.
How could I continue to use apps that I do not trust and “have to use“ for client work and to market my services…?
(Did anyone else hear internal crickets?)
The social media epiphany that kept me going is that social media is not going anywhere. I see so many people go through the same thing. The amount of times I have heard people say that they would delete social media if they could is absolutely silly. We can!
We have the choice to design a digital life we want, not default or opt-in to one.
The sticky situation: The social media apps that seem to have trust issues from their users also rank high in popularity (as of January 2023) in terms of monthly active users.
But to do me a favor (and prove a point), ask yourself these questions:
Where do you go to find nearby events?
Where do you go to connect with friends?
Where do you go to get the inside scoop on the date you’re about to go on?
How many of y’all said in your brain (or out loud), a Meta application? They are a dominant player people go to for social connectivity.
My point in sharing this is that while we are rightfully concerned with TikTok, we need to be curious and analyze all social media algorithms. The conversations and work is happening, but this is an opportunity to really hone in on the issue and make active steps toward change.
Make a plan, not a ban
Change can happen. And change happens in groups—which is why I love All Tech Is Human, so let’s make a plan, not a ban.
If you want or feel like you need to delete social media, do it! But I suggest making a plan for social media use. If you feel like you have (or need) to be on social media, go back to your why. It will keep your social media intentions in check.
You can also try asking more in-depth questions. The next time you open your go-to social application, ask yourself:
Opening X, what do I need or want to do?
Even if you’re an entrepreneur or creative using social media as a marketing tool, this is a question that will help determine whether or not what you’re doing is what you actually need or want to do.
If you were where I was a few years ago, put yourself first. Social media is not worth losing yourself over. And with the current gig economy, you can outsource. If you can afford it, pay someone to do what you don’t like doing (or are skilled at), and this goes with anything in life or business.
The future of social media
Social media is not going anywhere. I do see more regulations for social networking companies. I think this is inevitable. I also believe we will have more digital wellness professionals in schools and organizations to help people manage their digital use.
In terms of TikTok, I don’t think they will ban the app. It would cause too much uproar and affect too many businesses and creators.
Again, I think social media regulation—perhaps checks and balances—is where we are heading.
Do what you love and be you
While social media algorithms affect us, I don’t know how much they shape personalities.
But do your best to be you. Do the things you love. I’m not saying you’re turning into a scrolling zombie, but do what you can to absorb the physical world around you more than Instagram.
Wherever you are, be there ✨
We had our last swing dance class of the season (till September) on Thursday and it went by too fast.
Last anythings are a good reminder to be there.
Life’s funny. It has a way of speeding up (the good moments) even though you want it to just pump the friggin breaks.
Content I’m Consuming
📚 TikTok announces it will establish a youth council in hopes of building a better platform for teens
📺 YouTube videos on the Colleen Ballinger situation
🎙 Digital Wellness Podcast
Celine this is stephen barton a friend of your mother. She shared with me the link to the audio and blog on algorhythms and affect on personality . I enjoyed it and it was informative and helpful. You are also fun to listen to.