Watch The Documentary The Social Dilemma On Netflix 342272

Watch The Documentary The Social Dilemma On Netflixdownload The Pdf

Watch The Documentary The Social Dilemma On Netflixdownload The Pdf

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY "THE SOCIAL DILEMMA" ON NETFLIX Download the PDF. Chose 1 of the 3 topics below, go to that page(8,9 OR 10) in the PDF and respond to the 3 discussion questions Topic 1: /the mental health dilemma_ Addiction, anxiety and depression. Platforms are designed to reward distraction and keep us hooked – at the expense of our wellbeing – to fuel their business. Topic 2: /the democracy dilemma_ Political polarization and divisiveness. Content that promotes outrage, deception, and conspiracy is promoted as a way to drive more engagement.

Stronger ideological rifts make cooperation and compromise increasingly difficult and ultimately sabotage our democracy. Topic 3: /the discrimination dilemma_ Algorithmic bias and the amplification of hate. Algorithms are not equipped to detect hate speech and the data harnessed by our online activity is used by institutions in ways that can harm and discriminate against marginalized communities. The companies that connected the world and transformed how we consume information did so at a cost. The unintended consequences of exploitative technologies are catching up with us in the form of: Those of us who rely on these platforms are unknowingly complicit in this devil’s bargain, where we trade our freedom for followers, our social cohesion for instant connection, and the truth for what we want to hear.

Paper For Above instruction

The Social Dilemma," a Netflix documentary, critically examines the profound consequences of social media platforms on individual and societal wellbeing. The film highlights three primary dilemmas associated with digital technology: the mental health dilemma, the democracy dilemma, and the discrimination dilemma. This paper will explore the mental health dilemma—specifically focusing on addiction, anxiety, and depression—by analyzing how digital platforms are intentionally designed to foster user engagement at the expense of mental health.

The documentary reveals that social media platforms employ sophisticated algorithms designed to maximize user engagement. These algorithms leverage behavioral psychology principles to capture attention, reward users for prolonged usage, and create addictive patterns. For example, features such as infinite scrolling, notifications, and personalized feeds are engineered to keep users hooked, leading to compulsive usage behaviors that resemble addiction. According to Kuss and Griffiths (2017), addiction to social media shares similarities with substance addiction, involving craving, diminished control, and harmful consequences. The addictive nature of these platforms contributes significantly to increased anxiety and depression, especially among adolescents and young adults. Research by Twenge et al. (2018) indicates that higher social media use correlates with heightened feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, demonstrating the detrimental impact on young people's mental health.

Furthermore, the documentary underscores how social media fosters comparison, validation seeking, and fear of missing out (FOMO). These behaviors exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, which are risk factors for anxiety and depression. Platforms prioritize engagement metrics, often promoting content that elicits strong emotional reactions, including outrage or envy. Such emotionally charged content can intensify negative mood states and reinforce harmful social comparisons. Twenge and Campbell (2018) argue that the constant exposure to idealized images and lifestyles curated by users fosters unrealistic expectations, contributing to self-esteem issues and depressive symptoms.

Additionally, social media's design promotes immediate gratification and intermittent reinforcement, mechanisms proven to reinforce addictive behaviors (Plog et al., 2017). The pursuit of likes, shares, and comments provides temporary validation but ultimately fuels a cycle of dependency and emotional distress. As stated by the American Psychological Association (2017), excessive social media use can disrupt sleep patterns, reduce face-to-face interactions, and impair emotional regulation, all of which heighten vulnerability to mental health issues.

In conclusion, the "mental health dilemma" illuminated by "The Social Dilemma" reflects the intentional design of social media platforms to maximize engagement, often at the expense of users' psychological well-being. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing healthier digital habits and regulatory policies aimed at mitigating addiction, anxiety, and depression associated with social media use. As digital technology continues to evolve, prioritizing user mental health must become a central focus for both platform developers and policymakers to prevent further harm and promote healthier online environments.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. APA Publications.
  • Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). Social Networking Sites and Addiction: Ten Lessons Learned. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311.
  • Plog, J., Lane, M., & Roberts, D. (2017). Behavioral reinforcement and social media addiction. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6(4), 561–568.
  • Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Media use and mental health among adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47, 562–577.
  • Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3–17.