If you watch the social dilemma please help. Im writing an essay about the social dilemma. I need help with my intro. I need it to start how I have it and end with the thesis statement I have at the end of my intro and I need help starting my body paragraphs better and filling my body with more info especially after the quotes and ending it and introducing the next paragraph. My first paragraph is the film talking about how social platforms manipulate users, the 2nd paragraph is about social media affect on users, my 3rd paragraph is about solution and the 4th is my conclusion. I want it to be simple words but detailed. I want it to sound natural. Please do not use ai. It will be checked.
The film interviews several former employees of big tech companies such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, snapchat, etc. The former employees explain how these platforms are designed to capture users’ attention and influence their behavior to make profit. The Social Dilemma, directed and produced by Jeff Orlowski, is a powerful documentary that explores how social media platforms manipulate users through notifications and algorithms, affect mental health, and offer solutions.
One of the main arguments in the film is that these platforms’ main goal is to manipulate users rather than connect them. Roger McNamee, a Facebook early investor and venture capitalist, states that tech companies dont sell products anymore, they sell users (00:12:49). The longer users scroll, the more data these platforms collect, and the more they can target users with advertisement. The manipulation goes further to influence users’ identity without them even realizing it. Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and author, explains, Its the gradual, slight, imperceptible change in your own behavior and perception that is the product (00:14:20). Sandy Parakilas, a former Facebook operations manager and Uber product manager, explains how social media companies use growth tactics to get people to spend more time on their apps. Growth tactics are tricks platforms use to keep users on their platforms so that they can make money. The film illustrates this by showing a teenage boy in class who loses his attention because of him receiving notifications.
The film also talks about how the design of platforms affects users’ mental health, especially teenagers. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, points out We see a dramatic increase in depression and anxiety among teenagers (00:40:00). this issue through a young girl. The girl takes a selfie using a filter. She feels happy at first, but after reading a negative comment, she runs to the bathroom and cries in front of the mirror. Social media can affect the way people see themselves because they fear how others perceive them. This can lead to insecurity, affect mental health, and even result in suicide, which is why it is important to take action.
The film also suggests ways for users to stay safe on social media. Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, suggests, We can demand that these products be designed more humanely (01:28:03). We have the power to force social media platforms to be safer because we are the reason they are making money. Jaron Lanier argues, the only way to win is to get out of the system (01:24:40). Users need to stop using these platforms if they dont make their platforms safe for users. Its hard to completely stop using these platforms, but as long as users use them they can be manipulated.
Before watching The Social Dilemma, I knew how harmful social media was because of my grandmother warning me, but I still used it because it was entertaining. I knew that social media can affect users mentally, but The Social Dilemma revealed to me that social media manipulates users through algorithms and notifications. It also offers solutions to users, which I agree with, because the companies should make their platforms safe, but we also should be careful about how we use it. We need to change our habits since the companies wont change theirs, or else we will continue to be controlled by them.
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