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EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

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Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#281

Post by alkonaut »

hug wrote: post #96
noprocrasted wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> what is the first video you show them Whatever is latest posted across their followings/subscriptions?

That’s also an algorithm. An unsophisticated one, but an algorithm nonetheless. You can (and should) argue that such a simple algorithm doesn’t “count”, but fundamentally the exact wording of the grandparent post never works, legislatively. Lawyers will lawyer.

Can everyone just please stop saying "well ackshually sorting is done with an algorithm" and just assume at least not-idiotic-intent here? No no one will ban "algorithms" or suggests anything of that kind. Yes it's a terrible name. Yes it will be hard to formulate what's allowed and what isn't. But a very simple litmus test is: what are the inputs to the algorithm?

users coarse geographic location? Fine

AI detected language of the content? Fine

global popularity of the video clip? fine

user's past behavior: number of videos with similar content they watched? Average number of seconds this particular user usually waits until scrolling further?

The pattern is obvious. Personalized algorithms is what's targeted. Let's keep the discussion intelligent.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#282

Post by chaosharmonic »

Ylpertnodi wrote: post #260
chaosharmonic wrote: post #244

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, I'd argue it's worse. Cigarettes don't run your communication networks, and aren't a functional necessity for businesses to advertise their services. On that note, not that I think regulation is the entire solution in the first place (see ATProto for an example of something independent of government that gives me hope for the Internet), but I feel that where a lot of the "protect kids" Internet bills fail is…

> aren't a functional necessity for businesses to advertise their services. Cigarettes don't collect and sell data.

Also true.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#283

Post by Aurornis »

andrewjf wrote: post #128
Aurornis wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Goes away, or is liable for the content promoted to the frontpage under the OP's take? Same thing. There is no Hacker News if Y Combinator becomes liable for user submitted content. It’s an obvious backdoor play to make sites go away. If a site becomes liable for content posted, you cannot allow users to post content without having the site review and take responsibility for every comment and every post. The people…

I agree with what OOP said. But it’s not my intent to “shut sites down.” I have this view to try to increase diversity of media consumption and break people out of echo chambers. If your business model is so shit you have to exploit weaknesses in human brains to keep people viewing ads and can’t adapt, then that’s your problem. If you have an algorithm whose sole purpose is to “engagement” with your own platform (by…

> I have this view to try to increase diversity of media consumption and break people out of echo chambers.

Making sites liable for all user-posted content would do the reverse of this. Every platform that lets people submit content would have to stop doing that, because it’s an impossible liability to manage.

You’d have to host your own site. You wouldn’t be able to share anything about it on a social media site because its user-generated content. No visitors unless you advertise it through paid contracts with companies that can review it and decide to accept the liability.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#284

Post by joshlemer »

spockz wrote: post #214

They should also tackle Youtube. Yesterday my Youtube app opened into "Shorts" automatically. Shorts are of the same addictive variety as TikToks.

I feel like the core of the problem is that we don't as consumers have hardly any control over the software we run on our devices. People can and have written less addictive YouTube, Reddit, etc clients, but Google Play and Apple App Store don't allow them.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#285

Post by ge96 »

I don't use those sites myself/not age group anyway. One thing Instagram is riddled with ads it immediately pisses me off so one reason I don't use it. I get the engagement aspect if you're trying to promote a product.

Recently I stopped scrolling reddit/being logged in and watching YouTube videos. Since it's just endless... and it's crazy. It feels unsettling, I'm bored/antsy since I'm not doing something. So I've been trying to use this time to not multi task eg. I used to have a YouTube video playing and then scroll reddit at the same time. Now it's like, listen to music/work on a computer or watch something only. Also starting to make me seek real socialization too like go to a coffee shop or something even though unfortunatley I live in the suburbs so I'd have to drive to a coffee shop.

The only stuff I look at too is this site or some entrepreneurial specific site for motivation.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#286

Post by deaton »

nekusar wrote: post #85
criddell wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An an adult, do you also believe seat belt laws are a bad thing?

Yes, I do. Its just another way that cops can pull you over for bullshit charges and revenue enhancement. I remember in my state, it was initially only a citation that couldnt be pulled over on. Then they flipped that and started pulling over for it. Why? Pure fucking money grab. Me not wearing a seatbelt means I risk getting splattered. Not you, or anyone else.

[dead]

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#287

Post by [deleted] »

SirMaster wrote: post #184
wackget wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The modern-day cigarette is such a perfect metaphor for social media. A cabal of unfathomably wealthy companies spreading their harmful products across the world; making them as addictive as possible while actively burying the research which proves how harmful they are. I truly hope one day we'll look back on social media and smartphone use the same way we regard smoking.

But if you stop using social media, you don't still have a risk of lung cancer in the future. The effects of social media usage are surely reversible by stopping using it and then some retraining of the brain. The effects of years of smoking are not so reversible in terms of what it does to your body.

[deleted]

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#288

Post by codybontecou »

ge96 wrote: post #285

I don't use those sites myself/not age group anyway. One thing Instagram is riddled with ads it immediately pisses me off so one reason I don't use it. I get the engagement aspect if you're trying to promote a product. Recently I stopped scrolling reddit/being logged in and watching YouTube videos. Since it's just endless... and it's crazy. It feels unsettling, I'm bored/antsy since I'm not doing something. So I've b…

Which entrepreneurial sites are you browsing? I feel like I'm at a similar stage in my day-to-day.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#289

Post by glenstein »

Aurornis wrote: post #156
jrflo wrote: post #118

I heard someone on a podcast call social media algorithms "the modern-day cigarette" and that really resonated with me. These companies know their product is addictive and bad for users, but they keep pushing it anyways. Like cigarettes, it's bad for everyone, not just kids. I made an algorithm blocker for Safari because of that and it's actually crazy how much more pleasant social media is if you don't have recommen…

If you didn’t notice, this comment is an ad for a paid app trying to capitalize on social media anger. I respect the hustle, but this is not a neutral comment on the topic due to the financial interest. There are many free alternative plugins for targeting social media feeds if someone wants to filter these.

I have no issue with people sharing their personal projects if they're relevant to the discussion.

If you've reading this and you have a personal project please proactively share it in the comments when it's relevant and on topic. I try to upvote and be supportive when I can to make sure they feel welcomed.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#290

Post by ge96 »

codybontecou wrote: post #288
ge96 wrote: post #285

I don't use those sites myself/not age group anyway. One thing Instagram is riddled with ads it immediately pisses me off so one reason I don't use it. I get the engagement aspect if you're trying to promote a product. Recently I stopped scrolling reddit/being logged in and watching YouTube videos. Since it's just endless... and it's crazy. It feels unsettling, I'm bored/antsy since I'm not doing something. So I've b…

Which entrepreneurial sites are you browsing? I feel like I'm at a similar stage in my day-to-day.

I used to read indiehackers but it's hard to tell what's real/promotional now, same for reddit sites that are entrepreneurial.

The one I look at though is wip.chat which is pretty much just a shared to-do list among builders, I'm not part of it, not gonna pay $20/mo or whatever lol, but good to see it.

I used to listen to digital nomad podcasts too as that was interesting to me like needing to make money/living day by day. Also similar not sure real or shilling, lot of Vietnam videos lately eg. "live here for $400/mo" kind of thing.

Was briefly watching starter story on YouTube but also not sure if real or shilling. It's funny I have the $10K/mo right now but it's because I have a job lmao... it sucks having a job, I'm not free.

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