Current Issues - Algorithms, We need to cop on

Modern social media algorithms, profit over mental well-being. 
Greedy, selfish, profiteers are exploiting the vulnerable while racking in the big bucks.We should not permit our children’s lives to be corrupted by profiteers. It’s time for governments to take back control, Sean Anthony reports

It’s hard not to be affected by it unless one is a complete luddite. Online you click on to something that gets your interest it could be as mundane as shoes within a short time frame you are a target for everything related to shoes. This might seem innocent enough, but if you are a child, teenager, shopaholic and out of curiosity you click on to pornography, shopping channels, brawls,  or so called influencers you will find it almost impossible not to be constantly bombarded with similar content. 

This is not a choice you make! 
While the initial choice is yours, you don’t ask to be continually harassed with similar content, that is the problem with algorithms. 
The solution however could be simple, if you want to access a particular subject then you can do so by logging on to whatever you are interested in, that’s fine, it’s a one-off, it’s your choice at that moment in time, you’re  not asking to be continually bombarded with similar content and if you want to access that site or similar sites  again you’re free to do so, you are making That choice..  But let’s be honest the advertising industry will hate that solution. Right and Left wing political parties, racist groups, will all hate it, why ? because it prevents them getting access into malable minds and dictating the agenda. To be a child and be subject to all the negativity that’s out there online is horrendous, we should not permit our children’s lives to be corrupted by profiteers and that’s what’s happening folks.. 

Modern social media algorithms are increasingly viewed as a public health concern because they are engineered to prioritize user engagement and profit over mental well-being. By leveraging behavioral psychology and artificial intelligence, these "addiction by design" systems create powerful dopamine-driven feedback loops that can lead to compulsive use and significant neurological changes.

The Mechanics of Digital Addiction

Algorithms contribute to addiction through several core psychological and physiological mechanisms:

Dopamine Hijacking: Content platforms are designed to trigger frequent releases of dopamine, the brain's "reward" chemical. Every like, notification, or engaging post provides a small burst of pleasure, conditioning the brain to crave more.

Intermittent Reinforcement: Similar to gambling, algorithms use unpredictable rewards. Because users never know when the next "viral" or deeply interesting post will appear, they remain in a state of constant "seeking," making it difficult to stop scrolling.

Infinite Scrolling and Autoplay: Features like the "infinite scroll" remove natural stopping points, leading to "doomscrolling"—the mindless, endless consumption of content. This overrides the brain's executive control, keeping users on platforms far longer than intended.

Neurological and Psychological Impacts

Research into the neurophysiological effects of these algorithms highlights several alarming trends:

Reduced Reward Sensitivity: Chronic overstimulation from algorithmic feeds can lead to a "dopamine-deficit state," where users experience less pleasure from natural, real-world rewards and feel more anxious or depressed when offline.

Structural Brain Changes: Excessive social media use has been linked to decreased grey matter volume in the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and impulse control) and the amygdala (which regulates emotions).

Comparison and Envy: Algorithms often prioritize "idealized" content, such as influencers' highlight reels, which can lead to social comparison, eroded self-esteem, and "Facebook depression".

The "Dark Side" of Algorithm Design

Beyond individual addiction, algorithms can create systemic harms:

Amplification of Negativity: Algorithms often favour sensational or inflammatory content because it generates the most engagement. This can trap users in echo chambers of outrage and anxiety.

Vulnerability Mirroring: Instead of promoting healthy content, algorithms may learn a user’s insecurities—such as body image issues or loneliness—and "mirror" them back by suggesting more of the same harmful material.

Deceptive Design (Dark Patterns): Many apps use "dark patterns," such as making it intentionally difficult to delete an account or hide notifications, to keep users trapped in the platform's ecosystem.

Regulatory Response in 2026

As of 2026, governments are increasingly treating addictive algorithms like regulated substances. The European Union's Digital Fairness Act, expected to be formally proposed this year, aims to ban manipulative personalization and mandate ethical design "by default". Globally, laws like the UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code and various U.S. state privacy laws now strictly prohibit the use of "dark patterns" to manipulate user consent.

The bottom line, if we truly want change we must  influence our politicians to act for the greater good so that powerful vested interests behind the scenes are not allowed to make puppets of our children.