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Are we enslaved by THE ALGORITHM?

WHO

July 3, 2023

Is technology sending you down a rabbit hole? It's time to reclaim control

Most of us have a few people in our lives that know us well – friends, family members and maybe our therapist. However, if you spend any time online, you’ll know there’s a newcomer that claims to know us even better.

Welcome to the world of social media algorithms – in 2023, they’re getting harder to ignore. Gone are the days when your biggest problem was a few eerily well-timed ads popping up on Facebook. These days, algorithms are making bolder (and dare we say, more intrusive) choices, from culling friends from your Instagram feed to making terrible music suggestions on Spotify.

While this has raised plenty of concerns – a major one being the potential to spread misinformation – one major worry is the impact that apps like TikTok can have on our mental wellbeing.

“None of us really know exactly how these platforms operate, but certainly they aim to provide you [with] what you are likely to be interested in,” says Associate Professor Gemma Sharp, a clinical psychologist at Monash University.

“There are anecdotal reports that there is quite a deal of pro-eating disorder content on TikTok, which can be particularly harmful for some people.”