[the_real_cher]

I feel like everyone implicitly knows the algorithm is designed to be addictive.

Its like smoking. At some point were going to look back and wonder why we let kids do that.

Its more insidious than smoking though because it has arguably positive benefits.

[topgrain2]

I’m pretty sure all the benefits of social media exist in aspects other than the engagement-driven “algo” feed.

[iAMkenough]

Alcohol consumption would be another good example of a culture we’ve accepted despite the deaths and limited positive benefits.

[cwmoore]

See the 18th and 21st Amendments to the US Constitution.

[iAMkenough]

Yes, the 21st Amendment is democratic society accepting the negatives despite the limited positives.

[cwmoore]

I was musing earlier today that in US culture you must have a liquor license to sell alcohol, but a drivers license to purchase it.

[mapleoin]

> Its more insidious than smoking though because it has arguably positive benefits.

So does smoking, depending on who you listen to: relaxation, pleasure, socialising, "feeling free" etc.

But this is just to emphasise your point that we change our thinking as a society on the importance of both harms and benefits.

[SirMaster]

I don't know how you can compare it to smoking.

There is no way to have a healthy relationship with smoking. It's always damaging your lungs and such no matter what the positives are.

A person can absolutely have a perfectly healthy relationship with social media where there are 0 negative effects and only positive effects.