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The algorithmic trap of short videos on social media
PHOTO: REUTERS
Almost one-fourth of Bangladesh’s population use social media and is now exposed to a new and addictive form of entertainment: short-form videos. Once you are hooked, it is hard to overcome this addiction, and brushing this problem aside may prove to be a disaster for the youth of our nation.
From Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts, social media platforms have evolved so much in recent years that they are a new beast. Behind the alluring interfaces and endless feeds lie complex algorithms that have altered the way we engage with video content. These algorithms aim to maximise user interaction and ad revenue, and have given rise to what experts now call the “algorithmic trap.” This terminology defines circumstances in which users get repeatedly drawn into a loop of content that aligns with their pre-existing preferences. For example, after searching for a particular show, the platforms continue to push similar content into our feed, regardless of whether we wish to see it or not. To maximise user engagement and profits, platforms like Facebook and Youtube are now pushing short videos to the users, while the algorithmic trap waits for its preys.
Short-form videos have the potential to cause harm to the viewers, especially the young people, due to their addictive quality. A reason why people are engaging more with short videos is because of their “completeness.” Finishing one such video takes less than a minute, which highly stimulates the human brain, making us think that these types of videos are more interesting. And with the help of the nebulous algorithms, users get bombarded with the content that is based on their consumption pattern. The end result: users can always come back to the videos that excite their brains. This whole process may push them into a loop of endless viewing.
If a user becomes addicted, they may not be able to get out of the content loop and focus on what actually matters to them, like work. Such an intensity of pleasure pushes many to watch videos while working or studying, resulting in less efficiency and distraction.
A recent study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health , found that addiction to short videos has a negative impact on learning motivation and well-being. It also adds that although these types of videos have some positive effects, they are a catalyst to video addiction. A concerning statement was made in another study published in the International Journal of Contents, “Although short video users are aware of their addiction to short videos and consciously stop watching short videos or even uninstall the application, suddenly stopping short video viewing can cause anxiety and depression.”
This does not bode well for those who enjoy such content, as earlier research showed that addiction to relatively longer videos can be overcome. The study also stated that this type of video addiction negatively impacts the psychological well-being of students, whom we consider to be the foundation of the nation’s future. If we overlook these phenomena, it may bring detrimental effects for society.
Considering Bangladesh’s huge population and its young and energetic minds, we must not ignore the consequences of these platforms. According to Meta, the company that owns Facebook, our country ranked third in terms of monthly active users in the globe in 2022. In early 2023, there were 43.25 million and 34.40 million active Facebook and Youtube users, respectively, in the country, a large number of whom were aged between 13 and 34. People in this age range are the most productive members of society. Our youngsters may not even understand that they are in an algorithmic trap, but it is the duty of parents and educational institutions to counsel them. Otherwise, Bangladesh may end up with countless victims of short-form video addiction.