The social dilemma

The influence of social networks in our daily lives and beahviour. Be aware of the risks.

Social networks are, as explained by the documentary "The social dilemma", the new tool of surveillance. Since the 18th/19th Century surveillance became the main system for controlling and disciplining the population. Before this period the main way to control the population relied on public execution or extreme punishment.

"Michel Foucault described institutions such as prisons, the mental asylums, schools, workhouses and factories as made of production for obedient citizens who comply with social norms, not simply under threat of corporal punishment, but as a result of their behaviour being constantly sculpted to ensure that they fully internalise the dominant beliefs and values".

But social networks have changed those dynamics drastically, are not the few watching the masses, but we have become involved in self-surveillance where we control ourselves through the screen, through likes and dislikes (Lyon, 2006).

What is more, "If you are not paying for the product, then... You are the product". This quote summarizes the marketing business underlying social networks. The latter succeeds by capturing our attention in endless posts and by selling their users' data to the highest bidders, data that we freely give away.

Surveillance is not, however, the only effect of social networks in our daily lives. Although this technology connects us to the rest of the world, at the same time, it is blurring the lines between private and public life, affecting not only the economy and politics but also our behavior. 

The increased use of social networks, and the constant exposure to perfection, might have a particularly negative impact on adolescents identity. In general, media does not appear to replace social interaction but rather changes it by producing an extended virtual self that may not always correspond to the "real" one. For instance, Self-esteem is the product of the congruence between the ideal self and the perceived one. The gap between one's actual self and one's ideal self widens as a result of social media, especially when we consider society's unrealistic portrayal of women.

During early adolescence, self-esteem can droop, causing periods of discomfort. Researchers suggest that extended periods of low self-esteem can be associated with serious problems such as eating disorders, especially in girls. What is more, a long period of rejection and humiliation can be linked to violent behaviour, depression and suicide (Bjorklund & Blasi, 2012). As reported by the documentary, a major health concern is the increased number of suicides among the youngest since 2009, the year of the advent of Social Networks; specifically, the suicide rate has increased by 70% between 15 and 19 years and by 151% between 10 and 14. Scary data for the 'generation Z', which entered Social Networks already starting from middle school: a whole age group more anxious and depressed.

I suggest you if you got Netflix to watch the documentary, if not you could just pop up to their website: https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/. It's worth it. It's awareness. It's freedom.

Lyon, D. (2006). Theorizing surveillance: the panopticon and beyond. Devon: Willan Pub.

Bjorklund, F. D. & Blasi, H. C. (2012). Child & adolescent development: An integrated approach. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage learning.

The social dilemma. Orlowski, J. Exposure Labs Argent Pictures The Space Program (2020). Netflix. https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/.