The Digital Drug : Why Social Media needs Safety labels | Nishtha Jain | TEDxAndover

Social Media's Impact - Social media is engineered for addiction, functioning like a slot machine with unpredictable dopamine spikes [9] - Algorithms personalize content, keeping users engaged longer to increase ad revenue for companies [10] - Excessive digital consumption erodes attention, energy, and emotions [12] - Social media addiction mirrors drug addiction, rewiring brain reward pathways [15] - The average person checks their phone 59 times a day, highlighting the pervasive nature of digital engagement [8] - Individuals consume 74 gigabytes of information daily, equivalent to a vast amount of media [11] The Need for Digital Safety Labels - Social media lacks safety labels, unlike pharmaceuticals which undergo rigorous testing and monitoring [16][17] - Digital safety labels could include content cautions, risk warnings (sleep disruption, cognitive overload, mental strain), and age restrictions [18] - The industry should consider implementing digital safety labels to protect users' minds, similar to labels on cigarettes, alcohol, and sugary products [17][18] Actions and Solutions - Legal and policy leaders are demanding tobacco-style warning labels on social media due to mental health harm and addictive risks [20] - Countries like Australia are banning social media for children under 16, with France and Norway considering similar age bands [21] - Individuals can practice mindful tech use by pausing, being aware, understanding design, setting boundaries, and embracing real connection (PAUSE) [23][24][25][26]