A CALL FOR CHANGE: TACKLING STIGMA, ACCESS, AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

The Art of Captivating: Attention Engineering on Social Media 

INSTIGATION

The rise of social media platforms has brought about a new era of communication and connection. Capturing and maintaining the attention of users amidst a sea of competing content. The longer you stay on the platform, the more money these companies can make from targeted advertising. In recent years, social media companies have adopted a variety of strategies to deteriorate our mental health and well-being. There is growing concern about how to capture and maintain our attention, even at the expense of this blog which explores the concept of "attention engineering" in social media and provides insight into the strategies used to keep us occupied.

WHAT IS ATTENTION ENGINEERING?

Attention engineering is the process of designing a product or service to attract and hold the user's attention. This is evident in many forms of media, such as television, film, and music. However, in the context of social media, attention engineering refers to the various strategies these companies used to stay engaged with their platforms. There are many factors behind the success of attention engineering in social media. One of the most important is the use of algorithms. These complex formulas are used to analyze user behavior, preferences, and habits. By analyzing this data, social media companies can determine which content is most likely to grab and retain our attention.

ATTENTION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

One of the key strategies of attention engineering is the use of notifications. Notifications are notifications that appear on your phone or computer when someone likes, comments on, or shares our content. They are meant to give us instant gratification because they make us feel justified and important. However, they are also very distracting and lead us down the rabbit hole of having to check and double-check our social media profiles. Another strategy used in attentional engineering is the use of variable rewards. This refers to the practice of offering unpredictable rewards for user engagement. For example, social media companies can randomly highlight user posts or provide temporary badges for interactions. These rewards are designed to make you return to the platform for another reward, even though you know it's unlikely you'll get another reward. Social media companies also use their social clout to gain and maintain our attention. They do this by using features like likes and comments to create a sense of social validation. We feel legitimate and important when we receive likes and comments on our content. However, we can become obsessed with getting more likes and comments, and can even become depressed and anxious when we don't get what we want. Besides, gamification is the use of game-like elements to make non-gaming activities more engaging. While this can be a useful tool to encourage users to complete tasks or engage with the platform, it can also be addictive and spend more time on the platform than intended by users. It may be the cause. Furthermore, video auto-play is a feature of many websites and apps that allow videos to play automatically without user input. While this can increase engagement and keep users on the platform longer, it can also create distractions and cause users to spend more time on the platform than intended. In Addition, Clickbait headlines are designed to grab attention and entice users to click on a link or article. While this can improve engagement, it can be misleading and lead to disappointment and frustration if the content doesn't live up to the headline. It can lead to the spread of information and fake news. Finally, many online platforms use algorithms to personalize content recommendations for users based on their browsing history and other data. While this can be convenient for users, it can also create filter bubbles or echo chambers where users are only exposed to content that reinforces their existing beliefs and prejudices. 

"If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product"

-The Social Dilemma, a Netflix Documentary

The Cost of Social Media Use

Attention engineering can be a powerful tool for social media companies, but it can also have a negative impact on mental health and well-being. For example, constantly checking social media profiles can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. It can also interfere with sleep as many people scroll through their feeds late into the night. Additionally, attention engineering is addictive. They designed social media platforms for instant gratification, which can lead to impulsive behavior. This can lead to uncontrolled social media use and even addiction. Based on research on brain development, the conclusion is that daily exposure to high tech stimulates brain switching and the release of neurotransmitters, ultimately strengthening new pathways in the brain. To maximize revenue, big social media companies should employ "attention engineers" who use addictive principles like those used in casinos to make their products as addictive as possible.

Connection Between Happiness and Screen Activity

Attention engineering on social media can be a challenging issue to deal with, but there are several strategies you can use to manage it effectively. Here are some tips

1. Set boundaries: One of the most effective ways to deal with attention engineering on social media is to set boundaries for yourself. This could include limiting your time spent on social media, using tools to limit distractions, and turning off notifications for apps that constantly compete for your attention.

2. Prioritize your activities: It can be helpful to prioritize your social media activities, focusing on the ones that add value to your life and ignoring the ones that don't. For example, you might choose to only engage with social media when you're sharing updates with close friends and family, or when you're looking for information related to your work or interests.

3. Be mindful of your emotions: Social media can be a highly emotional space, and it's important to be aware of how certain interactions and content make you feel. If you find that a particular platform or account consistently triggers negative emotions, it may be best to limit your exposure to it.

4. Practice self-care: Taking care of your mental and physical health can help you better manage attention engineering on social media. This could include exercise, mindfulness practices, or simply taking time away from social media to engage in other activities that bring you joy.

5. Use technology to your advantage: There are many tools available that can help you manage your social media use. For example, you might use a browser extension that blocks distracting content, or an app that reminds you to take breaks from social media.

Final Thoughts: Implications and Future Directions

In summary, this type of engineering in social media has become a major challenge for social media companies, users, and society at large. The use of various strategies, such as notifications, variable rewards, social validation, gamification, video auto-play, clickbait headlines, and personalized content recommendations can negatively impact mental health and well-being. It has resulted in some addictive and impulsive use of social media. Academics and experts have widely debated and criticized the concept of "attention engineering, pointing out its potentially harmful effects. Effectively managing your attention on social media requires setting boundaries, prioritizing activities, paying attention to emotions, practicing self-care, and using technology to your advantage. Additionally, policymakers should consider regulating attention engineering to protect individuals from the potentially adverse effects of social media use. Finding a balance between the benefits and risks of managing social media attention is critical to ensuring a healthy and sustainable digital future. 

Narrative

Md Mizanur Rahman is a computer science enthusiast who has always been fascinated by the abstract nature of mathematics. His love for coding and modern technology led him to pursue a career in computer science. With his passion for coding, he aspires to make a significant impact in the field of technology.