Hank Green
My hottest “I have no data to back this up” take is that phones aren’t making young people less happy. What’s making them less happy is living in a world where everyone is having their reality defined by recommendation algorithms that can only care about whether something keeps you watching.
Apr 11 at 4:39pmWeb
Show threadAmy (epi_lady)3d ago
The generation behind this one talks a lot about the insecurity of the job market, what is "AI-proof", concerns with the changing climate, and in the US, lack of healthcare and concerns for affording things. My teen and his friends routinely talk about those things and how it impacts their future. They have a lot of concern.
Show threadwilliam.maggos3d ago

@hankgreen

thanks for saying this. the next step is leading a movement away from the services using these algos. I know YouTube algos are helpful to you but they are ultimately bad for society. help us build and grow alternatives. people are already doing the work, they just need more attention, money and users. please.

#SocialWeb #peertube #owncast #DemocracyOfReach #PublicPatron

Show threadMarvin R3d ago
@hankgreen that line looks almost straight before taking a nose dive in 2020, I wonder what happened that year 🫤
Show threadDavid Blue3d ago
100%.
Show threadGreg Fish3d ago
There’s actually data that depressed young people use social media very differently than happy young people and it’s that usage pattern that’s indicative of depression and anxiety than actual social media use in terms of minutes per day. https://www.cyberpunksurvivalguide.com/p/jonathan-haidt-moral-panic-with-bad-science
how to sell moral panics with bad science, jonathan haidt edition

Moral panics are very profitable for those who fan their flames. And Jonathan Haidt is going to disgusting lows to make sure his sells no matter what.

Cyberpunk Survival Guide
Show threadJosh Williams3d ago
I would venture to say this is less about the phones and more about general world leadership.
Show threadSophia Tesch3d ago
Maybe it is living in a world where the older adults are fuck ups? I think that’s it.
Show threadMatt3d ago
@hankgreen might also just be historical worldwide wealth inequality
Show threadBen Silver2d ago
Or living in a world where generations are worse off than our parents.

Or living in a world where wealth had been hoarded to literal comic-book villain levels.

Or a world with the creeping ascent of rightwing authoritarianism.

… Or living in a world where it’s harder to live in blissful ignorance of all that and everything else that’s going on.