Profits over safety, is the message that is deliberately being flaunted by the tech giants who continue to experiment to the extent of the law. Except, there is no law. This is the world of algorithms and its purpose is to drive engagement. How does it do so? by funneling a certain kind of content to specific audiences using the information that you give it between likes, comments, and time spent engaging with it. On the surface this may seem like a viable technical practice to devising tailor-made content for a given individual, but there exists ethical concerns with the accessibility to unprecedented amounts of user data, that allows them to get to that point. This is an important point to decipher because of the prevalence of addiction and misinformation that feeds into ones confirmation bias. The social media market is generating in $250 billion dollars this year and that figure is expected to double in the next four. There is money to be made and of the 90% of adolescents who participate across any of these platforms, they will be the target audience for which those profits will be sought.
In recent memory we have seen former data scientist Frances Haugen testify before the committee for the harm and division devised by Facebook. In her words, “The result has been more division, more harm, more lies, more threats and more combat. In some cases, this dangerous online talk has led to actual violence that harms and even kills people.” The bottom line amidst her statement, is that social media platforms such as Facebook, continue to covet for the registration of our malleable youth, despite the figures that suggest the potential for harm between mental illness and addiction. Haugen went into further detail when suggesting, “It is causing teenagers to be exposed to more anorexia content. It is pulling families apart. And in places like Ethiopia, it’s literally fanning ethnic violence.” What makes these statements all the more concerning is that Facebook is not highly regarded amongst teens today, with only 33% of them on the platform. If such information is being publicized about a company like Facebook who doesn’t have the traction compare to that of a Tik Tok, Instagram, or Snap Chat it could only be left to the imagination as to the ideas that are brewing in their analytics department.
The state of apprehension amongst algorithms is further devised in its divergence between real-world interactions and social media interactions, where the concept of free speech is blurred by the complexities and controversies of content moderation. In basic terms, free speech is the free exchange of ideas within an open space. Algorithmic audiencing has consequently jeopardized it because, “speaking on social media now means speaking into a black box that determines one’s effective audience. Those who know how to craft messages that play well with the newsfeed algorithms are able to gain far larger audiences than those with similar messaging who don’t.” Since algorithms tend to favor controversial posts, political extremes may be disproportionately amplified on social media. Critics suggest that instead of fostering free and open discussions, social media often presents a distorted and sensationalized reflection of public opinion, heightening conflict while silencing the perspectives of the broader majority. The digital world requires careful navigation amongst the future leaders of our country and the current trajectory suggests an avoidance in engagement with differing opinions. There are conversations to be had, but the divide is empowered by the algorithms that serve to the selfish desires of big business to seize power.
This reality makes it essential to keep social media away from students during school hours. The digital world, rife with division and sensationalism, is not a suitable substitute for real-world interaction—especially for adolescents. These platforms amplify discord and isolation, undermining genuine social connections. By reducing students’ exposure to such content during school hours, we can encourage healthier, face-to-face interactions. Schools should be environments where students form authentic relationships, build emotional intelligence, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Limiting social media access, especially during critical formative years, helps shield young minds from the algorithmic echo chambers designed to deepen division. This fosters a more connected, collaborative, and balanced generation—one that engages in real-life socialization rather than consuming content that warps reality and promotes division. The time to act is now, before the damage to our future leaders becomes irreversible.