Reclaiming Community in the Digital Age | Bob Dalton | TEDxFargo

Social Media & Technology Industry Concerns - Digital addiction is prevalent, with the average American checking their phone 144 times a day and spending over 7 hours on screens [1] - Social media has evolved from connection to content and then to revenue, leading to algorithm manipulation and competition for user attention [7][8] - The rise of social media is correlated with a spike in teen suicide rates and a loneliness epidemic [9] - The industry is approaching a point where distinguishing between real and artificial interactions online will become increasingly difficult, potentially leading to misinformation and distrust [17][18] Proposed Solutions & Future Trends - Community is presented as an antidote to digital addiction, referencing the "rat park" experiment [12][13] - There's a 75% increase in social clubs and micro-communities forming over the past 3 years, indicating a desire for real-world connection [15] - The next shift in online communication is predicted to be from social media to localized digital communities, emphasizing trust and proximity [18]