Social Media’s Unseen Costs | History of the Internet Episode 8

Ryan Haylett

Alright, so let's start with this paradox. Social media was supposed to connect us, right? Make the world smaller, bring people closer together.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, exactly. And, I mean, it has done that, but at what cost? There's mounting evidence now linking social media use to mental health challenges. Like, think about the Facebook whistleblower reports that revealed how Instagram negatively affects teen body image. Some of the data showed that teens feel worse about their lives—literally because of what they see on the platform.

Ryan Haylett

Oh yeah, that was wild. What was the stat—like, percentage-wise?

Dave Rowley

Something like 32% of teen girls reported feeling worse about their bodies because of Instagram. And what’s worse, the platform knew about it, which honestly is... well, disturbing.

Ryan Haylett

Disturbing's one word for it. But, you know, it's not surprising. These platforms are literally designed to keep us looking, swiping, comparing ourselves. It's like this endless loop of "Who's doing it better than me?"

Dave Rowley

Exactly. And that’s the thing—social validation is baked into their DNA. Every like, comment, share—it's feeding into this psychological loop where people seek constant validation. If you don’t get it, the anxiety or, worse, depression creeps in. There’s even evidence suggesting it amplifies feelings of loneliness instead of reducing them. It’s, well, it’s a pretty vicious cycle.

Ryan Haylett

And it doesn't just hit individuals. I was, uh, talking to this small business owner—used Instagram for years to build their brand. They got super successful, like orders pouring in out of nowhere. But then there was this fatigue, right? They couldn't—

Dave Rowley

Keep up?

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, exactly. They couldn’t keep up with the constant posting, the grind of chasing likes and engagement. Burned out completely. And that’s the thing—they depended on the platform so much, it became a trap. Like, they couldn’t leave because their audience was there, but staying was wrecking their mental health. It’s tough.

Dave Rowley

Right, and that's the hidden cost—this dependency. Platforms give you the tools, the reach, but they also create this treadmill you can’t step off of. The mental toll, whether you’re a teenager or a small business owner, is enormous.

Ryan Haylett

It’s almost, I dunno, ironic, huh? It’s like social media gives you just enough to keep you hooked, but the price you’re paying—it’s way more than you think.

Dave Rowley

And speaking of costs, there’s another massive one we haven’t touched yet—misinformation.

Ryan Haylett

It’s wild how these same platforms that hook people also act like megaphones for spreading falsehoods faster than anything else.

Dave Rowley

Absolutely. False narratives thrive in these ecosystems. Take recent elections or, uh, even public health crises. We’ve seen fake news, and conspiracy theories—they spread like wildfire.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, I mean, people share stuff without even reading it half the time! And it’s not even just the people. The algorithms are a huge part of the problem, right?

Dave Rowley

Right. Algorithms don’t distinguish between accuracy and sensationalism. They’re designed to prioritize content that drives engagement. Unfortunately, that often means polarizing or misleading content bubbles to the top. The more shocking or emotionally charged, the better it performs.

Ryan Haylett

And that keeps you hooked! You click, you comment, and suddenly you’re in this echo chamber of the same, kinda amplified, nonsense.

Dave Rowley

Exactly. And think about this—why do platforms do this? Because engagement drives profits. Advertisers pay more when users stay glued to their screens. And the quickest way to achieve that? Outrage and controversy.

Ryan Haylett

Outrage is profitable, huh? That’s kinda gross if you think about it. I mean, the engineers who design these systems—they know this stuff is divisive. But it’s all “growth-first” strategies, right?

Dave Rowley

It is. The focus on growth—on user numbers, time spent—is baked into the design process. Engineers and designers are incentivized to keep you scrolling, clicking, sharing. Questions of accuracy or societal impact come second, if at all.

Ryan Haylett

So what we get is this cycle, right? The platforms optimize for engagement, but what drives engagement? Drama. And misinformation—

Dave Rowley

Feeds that drama perfectly.

Ryan Haylett

You know, while we’re talking about algorithms and how they exploit engagement, there’s an equally unsettling side to this—the whole data privacy angle. It’s like the system isn’t just feeding misinformation; it’s tracking every click and leveraging it. Cambridge Analytica, for instance—perfect example of how that can go horribly wrong.

Dave Rowley

Absolutely. That case kind of exposed how personal data—everything from your likes to your private messages—can be harvested and weaponized to influence elections. And the thing is, that’s not just history. It's, um, still happening, just maybe more, uh, covertly now.

Ryan Haylett

Right? It’s not just about, you know, clicking “Accept All Cookies” anymore. It's about these intricate systems that track us from app to app, website to website. It’s like we’re being watched 24/7.

Dave Rowley

And it’s all designed to extract as much data as possible. Infinite scrolling, for example, isn’t just about, well, convenience. It's an engineered mechanic to maximize the time you spend on a platform. More scrolling, more data points, more opportunities to advertise to you.

Ryan Haylett

And then there are those notifications—they're like bait. “Oh, someone commented, better check right now!” And before you know it, you’re trapped in another half-hour dive into the feed.

Dave Rowley

But here’s the kicker—none of this is accidental. These mechanics are meticulously designed. The algorithms, notifications, endless-scroll features—they’re all crafted to keep you engaged, sure, but also to gather more data on who you are, what you want, and how to...well...sell to you.

Ryan Haylett

Selling and shaping you, honestly. That’s the part that gets me—it’s not just ads. It’s how we behave, buy, vote, think. And the platforms just harvest it all.

Dave Rowley

Exactly. And protecting yourself feels like an uphill battle. But it’s not impossible. For starters, you can use privacy tools—things like ad blockers or browsers that don’t track your activity.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, and adjusting your privacy settings—limiting what apps can access, disabling those creepy targeted ads. It’s small steps, but all of it adds up, right?

Dave Rowley

Definitely. And then there’s the idea of taking a break altogether. A digital detox, where you step back, and disconnect for a bit. It’s not easy, especially when platforms are woven into how we work and interact socially, but it’s worth trying.

Ryan Haylett

I mean, it’s kinda wild—it feels radical now to just, what, put your phone down? But yeah, reclaiming even a little control feels huge.

Dave Rowley

It does. Because at the end of the day, these tools can be pivotal—they help us stay connected, and informed. But they shouldn’t—in any way—control us.

Ryan Haylett

And, you know, when you think about it, these systems were supposed to bring us closer together—social media, the tools, all of it. But now, with the mental health effects, the misinformation, and how deeply they’re tracking us, I can’t help but wonder—are we more in control, or are we being controlled?

Dave Rowley

Exactly, Ryan. And it’s not just about the individual—it’s the societal implications, too. These platforms have reshaped how we communicate, how we consume information, even how we think. And the question becomes: How do we adapt?

Ryan Haylett

Right. You know, it’s clear we can’t undo the clock here. But what we can do is, well, be more intentional. Whether it’s taking back control with tools like ad blockers or just stepping away more often—it’s about making these platforms work for us, not the other way around.

Dave Rowley

And that’s the key takeaway. These are powerful tools, but like any tool, they come with responsibility—on both sides. For the users to educate themselves and for the creators to design with ethics in mind.

Ryan Haylett

Totally. I mean, there’s no denying the impact here, good and bad. And honestly, it’s not just social media—it’s the whole digital landscape. Which kinda leads us into what’s next.

Dave Rowley

Yeah. The smartphone revolution. It didn’t just give us mobile internet—it fundamentally changed how we live, from how we work to how we interact with the world around us.

Ryan Haylett

And we’ll dive into that next time, but before we sign off—

Dave Rowley

If you’re looking for a top-notch website design, SEO, or help with social media management, check out modularity.us—it’s all about digital solutions done right.

Ryan Haylett

Absolutely! Book a consultation with us at modularity.us. And with that, thanks for tuning in, everyone. We’ll catch you next time as we explore the smartphone era. Take care!