The Mental Effects of Constant Media Access and Consumption

© 2023 Niki Christine. All Rights Reserved.

With the rapid advancements of technology that have, and continue to occur, the impacts of the growing digital world are becoming visible. Though the path towards a technology-driven society began at a slower pace, modern industries are developing these mechanisms with an expeditious and immense force. As time passes, research is being done to begin assessing the impacts of this swift and innovative change. Ranging from the negative, and potentially harmful long-term effects, to the benefits and social successes. However, constant media access in the age of the internet can be seen negatively influencing attention spans and the ability to focus, as well as increasing feelings of desensitization and unfavorable emotions.

These major technological advancements have served to create an updated means of communication across the greater world. For the most part, this newfound, online system of communication avoids extensive or strict censorship, thus producing an environment with a vast range of both positive and negative content. However, it is important to note that there are some countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, North Korea, and more, that do restrict and heavily censor the access and creation of certain content/media within the nation (“10 Most Censored Countries.”). Moreover, the breaking of these laws can result in threats and criminal consequences, as well, therefore serving as a means to ensure the success of these restrictions (“10 Most Censored Countries.”). This does, to an extent, inhibit and alter the global reach of online communication systems. Nonetheless, there are a significant number of countries that do not employ such restrictions, other than content that is obviously obscene and illegal, including things such as child pornography, instructions on how to commit a crime, copyrighted material such as pirated movies, hate speech (however the subjective nature causes problems to arise regarding the enforcement of such content), and more (Gyang). Nations with such freedom include Iceland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, and more (Dorger). Less censorship inherently increases the opportunity and likelihood of users interacting, engaging, and viewing inherently negative, disturbing, and emotionally difficult content- in addition to joyous, positive, and helpful content. Though this internet freedom is extremely beneficial, there are some side effects that are worth discussing.

While the freedom to create and view various forms of content has helped break down barriers that have historically inhibited the voices of many- especially those marginalized- multiple studies and subject matter experts have begun to raise concerns regarding the potentially damaging effects of constant, vaguely monitored media access. A significant topic of concern is the effects this endless internet access has on attention span, as well as the ability to focus for extended periods of time. Moreover, the ability to manipulate the human capacity for focus and attention is a highly appraised, and well-researched psychological theory. The studies surrounding the ability to alter a human's focus and attention have been heavily linked to research tracing back to the 1930s- conducted by B.F Skinner, a widely regarded influential behaviorist. As Skinner began his dive into the capability of mind manipulation, he measured the focus and behavior of animals in response to positive reinforcements (Hari, 52). To achieve this, he would provide an animal with a reward after the animal performed deliberate, pre-decided actions. This was done as a means to further motivate and encourage the animal to perform the desired behavior. An example would be giving a hungry pigeon a piece of food, but only after performing the decided behavior, such as a specific movement (Hari, 52). Moreover, Skinner learned that the experimental animal’s behavior began to consistently revolve around receiving a said reward, thus developing the widely known theory of operant conditioning. In addition to this, Skinner put forth the argument that the human mind has less freedom of choice than often believed. Instead, their focus, and choices, are simply a “sum total of all the reinforcements” experienced (Hari, 53). This research has had a profound ripple effect and is often taught and furthered through psychology courses, such as the “psychology of mind control,” and more (Hari, 109). This revelation can be directly attributed to the modern world and the vast content and media industry. Content creators, whether on a grander or smaller scale, benefit from the manipulation of an individual's attention. As success for content is dependent on the amount of engagement- thus recognition- it receives, increasing the focus and attention a viewer devotes to the work is crucial. Furthermore, this manipulation of an individual's focus has become a goal, as well as a side-effect, of the fast-growing tech world. With intentional and various approaches, the conveyors of this content- such as apps, news sites, blogs, etc- implement designs to best steal the attention of a viewer for as long as possible. Therefore, to attain this, the tech industry heavily employs techniques that are fundamentally based on the renowned theory of operant conditioning.

Moreover, research is continuously conducted to create the algorithms best capable of achieving this focus-based objective. Scientists have, and continue to study how to best hack focus and attention, thus aiming to “design technology that could change your behavior” (Hari, 108). Former tech ethicist for Google, Tristan Harris, acknowledges this, claiming that - if done right- “you can manipulate people and they don’t even know it’s happening” (Hari, 108). This has become a dominating intention of companies within the tech industry, done as a way to ensure focus on their particular content/media, thus resulting in higher profit and success (Hari, 108). There has been a range of tactics implemented as a consequence of this, including the infinite scroll, the perpetuation of fast and constant media production, and an algorithmic push of negative content. These tactics work harmoniously on content-creating platforms to draw extended attention from viewers. The infinite scroll refers to the design of a content or media app that provides unlimited, immediately re-loadable content (Jack.) This is done to avoid users reaching a limit, therefore having to actively look outside of the app/content for more (Jack). To diminish the chances of a viewer leaving, the infinite scroll allows users to constantly switch from one piece of content to another in a matter of seconds, and with an unlimited and endless supply. Another technique employed is the use of positive reinforcement, often through reward-based interactions on one's content. This is done through things such as likes or hearts on a post, and allowing comments- which can be positive- on a user's content (Hari, 133). This creates a craving for the reinforcement, causing people to seek out the reward as often as possible, which is done by a near constant usage and engagement of the content.

Furthermore, this creates an environment where the user can receive a constant stream of stimulation from a single app, and since there are various apps and media sites that employ this technique, people are able to switch rapidly to content across the internet. Consequently, this “constant influx of online information may encourage individuals to displace their concentration across multiple incoming media streams” (Firth, Joseph, et al). This may result in constant “attentional-switching versus sustained-attention tasks,” which leads to users focusing on an individual piece of content or information for a short amount of time (Firth, Joseph, et al). Additionally, users may begin to feel incapable of focusing on a particular piece of information without becoming bored and seeking out the constant stimulus provided by rapidly switching (Firth, Joseph, et al). This way of engaging with information trains the brain to read in a “different way- in a manic skip and jump from one thing to another” (Hari, 81). This is because “we run our eyes rapidly over the information to extract what we need-”- and when one becomes accustomed to such a way of learning, it is only natural that it becomes the behavioral default (Hari, 81). Additionally, “this atmosphere of manic disruption” makes the “adrenal gland pump up production of cortisol and adrenaline (Harris, 10). Increased cortisol levels can have negative effects both physically and mentally, such as increased stress, irritability, headaches, etc (Santos-Longhurst). However, if one is addicted to the constant switching of attention, it is inevitable that cortisol levels will rise, thus increasing the chance of experiencing the negative side effects it brings. While stress hormones can, to some degree, boost energy levels and augment memory in the short term, “over time they actually impair cognition,” leading to things such as depression by altering areas of the brain that control mood and thought (Harris, 10). Therefore, this constant switching encouraged by the dominating algorithmic designs creates the potential for long-term harmful impacts on an individual's brain, thoughts, and mood- in addition to decreasing the ability to focus for extended periods of time.

Alongside the impact on attention spans, the nearly unlimited access to a vast range of online media creates an environment where users will experience both negative and positive content. Furthermore, it is unlikely that a user can, or will, avoid witnessing content that is deeply negative, violent, emotionally difficult, traumatic, and more. Whether it is a consequence of scrolling through the endless, hardly censored content on apps, a news notification, or a video, it is improbable, without strict censorship, that one can avoid coming across negative, jarring, or disturbing media. In addition to this, humans have a tendency for negative bias, which causes us to instinctively stare at things that are negative or outrageous for longer periods of time than we would spend on something positive or calming (Hari, 131). Due to this, algorithms are designed to push the content that is most likely to induce negative emotions, so as to increase the amount of time spent on the app/site. Moreover, it is the usage of words in titles such as hate, obliterates, destroys, etc., that is most likely to be picked up and promoted (Hari, 131). As a result, “an algorithm that prioritizes keeping you glued to the screen will- unintentionally but inevitably prioritize outraging and angering you” (Hari, 131). By using negative content as a tactic to induce engagement with content, it is arguably near impossible for an internet user- especially in countries with high internet freedom- to avoid witnessing or interacting with content that promotes negative, and mentally harmful emotions. Additionally, strong emotions such as anger can hinder the ability to focus, so, therefore, the attention span is not only being harmed through manic switching but also the digestion of negative content.

However, this paper does not aim to villainize or ignore the benefits of the internet and its highly accessible content. Rather, it is to discuss and put forth ideas regarding some of the potential harm this access may inflict. With this nearly unlimited access to content, and resources from the content, society has a greater ability to educate further, connect with others globally, participate in movements, share one's passions, and much more. As the main means used for communication has endured a rapid and immense shift through technology, it is not surprising that negative reactions have been raised regarding the change. Skepticism and disagreements regarding the development and changes in a society's main form of communication have been a historical occurrence. For example, Socrates believed that the shift from an oral culture to a written one would degrade and ruin the human mind, by causing it to rely on reminiscence through reviewing written and recorded thoughts, rather than relying on memory (Harris, 32). Further, the printing press was regarded by opposers as a “serious destabilizer to the culture at large,” therefore causing written manuscripts and books to be seen as a threat to society's well being (Harris, 12). Negative reactions continued to follow through later developments such as the radio, the computer, and so on. The integration of a new predominant means of communication will inevitably lead to criticism, as well as praise. However, these past creations did not become the downfall of society or ruin minds, as these historical opposers suggested. Therefore, it cannot be entirely assumed that the internet and media are the downfall that some current-day arguments propose. However, this does not discount modern-day research and its findings regarding the potentially harmful effects of constant media consumption and access. However, the degree to which it will impact society, particularly negatively, can only be known through time.

​The internet creates an environment where society and individuals have nearly unlimited access to slightly censored content. Additionally, the industries which benefit from content consumption aim to manipulate users to focus longer on their sites as a way to outdo competitors. This has led tech companies to employ psychological tactics, such as negative bias and operant conditioning, to promote user attention to their site. Furthermore, the various avenues of content that users can access often lead to constant switching between information, thus harming an individual's ability to focus for extended periods of time.




Works Cited

CPJ. “10 Most Censored Countries.” Committee to Protect Journalists, 21 Apr. 2015. https://cpj.org/2015/04/10-most-censored-countries/

Dorger, Samanda. “The Countries with the Least and Most Internet Freedom.” TheStreet, 18 Nov. 2020. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/countries-with-least-most-internet-freedom-2020%23gid%3Dci0274310ea00127c6%26pid%3D6-paris-france-sh&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1688693014048148&usg=AOvVaw1AqrwlTNER0e-bCFkRX-pl

Firth, Joseph, et al. “The ‘Online Brain’: How the Internet May Be Changing Our Cognition.” World Psychiatry, vol. 18, no. 2, 2019, pp.119–129. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502424/

Gyang, Joshua. “What Content Is Illegal on the Internet?” FinsliQ Blog, 27 Mar. 2023. https://www.finsliqblog.com/what-content-is-illegal-on-the internet/#:~:text=Some%20examples%20of%20illegal%20content,it%20exploits%20and%20harms%20children.

Jack, Bobby. “What Is Infinite Scrolling and How Does It Work?” MUO, 26 Feb. 2021. https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-infinite-scrolling-and-how-does-it-work/
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Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne. “High Cortisol Levels: Symptoms, Causes, and More.” Edited by Meredith Goodwin, Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cortisol-symptoms#:~:text=High%20cortisol%20levels%20can%20cause,%2C%20saliva%2C%20or%20urine%20test.