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The Warning Label Paradox: Why We Shouldn't Treat Social Media Like Cigarettes

The Warning Label Paradox: Why We Shouldn't Treat Social Media Like Cigarettes
Image Credit: Adam Zyglis
Pessimists Archive

From Pac-Man to Grand Theft Auto, video games have faced decades of scrutiny, accused of warping minds and corrupting youth. This recurring moral panic, fueled by sensationalized headlines and a generational divide, reveals a familiar pattern: the tendency to scapegoat new forms of entertainment for complex social problems. It seems history might be repeating itself, this time with social media.

Dr. Vivek Murthy's recent proposal to place warning labels on social media platforms, likening them to cigarettes, is a prime example of this impulse. While concerns about social media's impact on mental health are valid and deserve serious consideration, this approach feels like hitting the panic button. Regulations worldwide are being introduced to govern social media, including bans for under 14s and parental consent requirements.

USA: Florida Bans Social Media for Children Below 14 Years | ISH News
Image Credit: ISH News

It echoes past moral panics surrounding new technologies, from comic books to video games. Remember the video game panic of the 2000s? Hillary Clinton herself championed a bill comparing Grand Theft Auto to lead poisoning. The U.S. Supreme Court, thankfully, saw through the hysteria. The comparison of social media to cigarettes today is similarly hyperbolic, with current research showing only correlations between social media use and mental health issues, as per recent research in 2023.

Why do such moral panics take hold? It’s a classic case of society seeking simple solutions to complex problems. When new technologies emerge, they often become scapegoats for broader societal anxieties. In the 1980s, rock music and comic books were deemed threats; today, it's social media. One instance of this was the introduction of "explicit lyrics" stickers on music albums in the 1980s, intended to warn parents of unsuitable content, often backfired, increasing the albums' allure among rebellious youth. These fears provide a narrative that resonates with our desire to protect young people, even if the evidence doesn't fully support the alarm.

These historical examples highlight a crucial point: technology itself is not inherently good or bad. It's a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for positive or negative purposes. The digital migration of traditional practices, such as Zimbabwean healers offering spiritual solutions on TikTok, exemplifies this duality. As Zimbabwe’s economy falters, these healers promise wealth and prosperity, often exploiting desperate individuals. This case highlights a critical aspect of modern technology: its capacity to amplify both positive and negative behaviors.

The Surgeon General's comparison of social media to cigarettes, while well-intentioned, is ultimately misguided. Cigarettes are inherently harmful, their dangers well-documented and quantifiable. Social media, like any tool, can be used for good or ill. It can connect us, inform us, empower us. It can also be addictive, divisive, and detrimental to mental health. But to equate it with cigarettes is to ignore its complexity, its potential for positive change, and the agency of the individuals who use it.

Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games Is Wrong by Patrick M. Markey, Christopher J. Ferguson (Based on theories by David Gauntlett)

Ideally, beliefs are tested logically. However, emotional biases lead to cherry-picking evidence, fueling moral panics. Influential figures amplify fears about video games, politicians push biased research, and media sensationalizes, creating a cycle of fear. Hillary Clinton's 2005 claims about video game harms exemplify this flawed process, which continues today. This tendency towards simplification, however, is not merely a societal trend; it is amplified by our very neurobiology. Negativity bias and availability heuristics prime us to prioritize and overestimate the prevalence of social media's harms, often at the expense of a more nuanced understanding. Therefore, engaging with the digital world requires not just a consideration of its platforms and policies, but also a deeper understanding of our own cognitive biases and how they shape our perceptions.

Behavioral RoundUp

green and white braille typewriter
Photo by Markus Winkler / Unsplash

"Idea-expression dichotomy" refers to the legal distinction between the underlying ideas and the expression of those ideas, particularly in the context of copyright law. This concept ensures that while an idea itself cannot be copyrighted, the specific way in which it is expressed can be protected. In the Indian context, this principle is pivotal in distinguishing the protection of ideas from the protection of their expression. The landmark case of R.G. Anand v. Delux Films (1978) significantly upheld this principle. The Supreme Court of India ruled that ideas, themes, and plots are not protected under copyright, but the specific expression of those ideas in scripts, dialogues, and narratives is protected. The court emphasized that two works may share a similar theme or idea, but unless there is substantial similarity in the expression of that idea, there is no infringement. This case underscores the balance between encouraging creativity and innovation while protecting the rights of creators against unauthorized reproduction of their unique expressions.

AI dataset licensing companies form trade group

Seven leading providers of licensed data for AI training have formed the Dataset Providers Alliance, the first trade group for the sector. The DPA aims to advocate for ethical data sourcing, including protecting the rights of individuals and content owners. This comes amidst growing concerns over copyright infringement and the use of unlicensed data to train generative AI models. The DPA will push for legislation like the NO FAKES Act and greater transparency in AI training data. By establishing ethical standards and advocating for legal frameworks, the DPA seeks to shape the future of AI development towards responsible and sustainable practices. Read more on Reuters.

How creativity defines the human species and is a source of wellness

Botanical notes artwork made by 12-year-old self-taught artist Laila Ahuja as part of a summer exercise to practice drawing and learn about different flowers around the world. Laila Ahuja

When we think of “art,” we often imagine children's drawings or famous artists. However, art is intrinsic to human evolution and well-being. Just as exercise benefits the body, creating art nurtures the mind. Research shows that any form of creative self-expression, like drawing or woodworking, can reduce stress and improve mood. As a child, art helped me cope with illness; today, it’s my sanctuary. Creativity is uniquely human, aiding in coping with uncertainty and fostering mental wellness. Art therapy, born from treating soldiers with PTSD, highlights the power of nonverbal expression. Embrace creativity—it’s as vital as nutrition and exercise. Read more on Conversation

Can AI learn like us?

photo of steel wool against black background
Photo by Gertrūda Valasevičiūtė / Unsplash

It reads, talks, and collates mountains of data to recommend business decisions. Today's artificial intelligence seems more human than ever, but it still has critical shortcomings. "ChatGPT and current AI technologies are impressive, but they are limited in interacting with the physical world and require billions of training examples to perform tasks well," explains Kyle Daruwalla, a NeuroAI Scholar at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Daruwalla has designed a new AI model inspired by the human brain’s efficiency, where AI neurons receive feedback and adjust in real-time, enhancing processing efficiency. This breakthrough could pioneer a new generation of AI that learns like humans, making AI more efficient and accessible. Read more on ScienceDaily.


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