Algorithmic Manipulation: How Social Media Platforms Exploit Student Vulnerabilities

Social media addiction has emerged as a growing concern among college students, with experts highlighting its detrimental effects on mental health and academic performance.

Research indicates a troubling connection between excessive social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety in young adults, according to Paul Hoffman, director of Yale Mental Health and Counseling. This observation is supported by Ada Fenick, a professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, who noted that students who spend more time on social media tend to develop weaker personal relationships.

“Young adults who spend more time on social media and more time on their phones tend to experience more depression and anxiety and tend to not form as strong relationships,” Fenick told reporters.

The scope of the problem is significant, with an estimated 210 million people worldwide suffering from addiction to social media and the internet. Marc Potenza, a professor of psychiatry, child study and neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, pointed to alarming trends in smartphone usage among adolescents.

“Currently, about 95 percent of high school-aged teenagers have access to smartphones, and it’s estimated from Pew Research Center data that both in 2022 and 2023 about 46 percent of high school-age teenagers report being online almost constantly,” Potenza said. This represents a dramatic increase from just 24 percent in 2015.

The correlation between social media use and declining mental health has drawn attention from national health authorities. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in 2023 regarding social media use and youth mental health, even suggesting that social media platforms should carry warning labels similar to those on tobacco and alcohol products.

Experts point to the deliberate design of social media platforms as a key factor in their addictive nature. Neta Alexander, an assistant professor of film and media, explained that algorithmic recommendation systems strategically exploit cognitive vulnerabilities to maximize screen time.

“These platforms are designed to be addictive by using intermittent rewards and trying to invoke negative emotional responses such as rage, anxiety and jealousy, which are known to prolong our engagement and deepen our attachment to our devices,” Alexander said.

The psychological impact manifests in various ways. Fenick described how social media companies have perfected the creation of “quick hits” that momentarily stimulate users’ dopamine receptors, creating cycles of dependence. Meanwhile, Hoffman warned that people often feel compelled to engage with content that can be detrimental to their mental health, especially during periods of increased anxiety or depression.

Beyond mental health concerns, social media has been linked to harmful cultural phenomena. Alexander noted the rise of “beauty filters” and AI-generated images has established impossible beauty standards, potentially driving young users toward unnecessary cosmetic procedures. Additionally, the quantification of relationships through likes and comments can lead to enhanced anxiety and diminished self-esteem.

The pervasiveness of social media addiction was illustrated in a classroom experiment conducted by Francesco Casetti, Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale. Casetti required students in his class “Scared to Death: Fear, Threats and Media” to abstain from social media for 24 hours and document their experience.

Remarkably, approximately 10 percent of students were unable to complete the challenge. One student reported accidentally tapping the Instagram icon out of habit, while another confessed to breaking the fast because they were “scared to be alone with my thoughts.”

To combat excessive social media use, experts recommend several practical strategies. Potenza suggests designating completely tech-free periods, particularly in the hour before bedtime. Alexander advises students to utilize screen time apps that impose strict limits, turn off notifications, or switch smartphone displays to grayscale mode to reduce their visual appeal.

Fenick encourages students to view technology as a learning tool rather than constant entertainment. “Be very thoughtful about what you’re using it for and what your purpose is, and try to make sure that you spend at least that amount of time or more on interactions with other humans in real life,” she advised.

The issue has prompted academic exploration at Yale, where Alexander and Casetti will co-teach a new seminar called “Media Anxieties” this spring. For students struggling with social media addiction, Yale’s Mental Health and Counseling services has therapists available to provide support and guidance.