Aside from LinkedIn, I have not had any social media accounts since 2019.
Studies show the average person spends over 6 hours per day looking at screens, with almost 3 of those hours spent on mobile devices, consuming a constant stream of audio-visual content. Human brains are not optimized for this type of continuous, passive consumption; they are optimized for in-person conversations and kinetic interactions with a physical environment.
While I understand the challenges the upcoming potential TikTok ban poses for creators and employees, I believe dopamine-driven apps that bypass critical thinking and offer little lasting value ultimately create a societal net negative.
The proposed TikTok ban in Congress raises a crucial question: how can we foster healthy online habits that prioritize meaningful interactions over mindless scrolling?