The hidden truth about user data and impact on society

By Soumili Sarkar

“Social” – this word is very common all over the world, and everybody is very familiar with it. Basically, what comes to mind when people hear this word is “Social Media”. Yes, social media is a group of platforms where we perform various activities and share them. These social media platforms include the most common one being Facebook, followed by Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly knowns as Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, and many more. Whenever something noteworthy happens, we tend to share it on Facebook, be it a photo or a video, as it is one of the most popular social media platforms. People are used to using Facebook as their primary social network. We think that any rare photo or video we come across can be shared on Facebook, where friends and acquaintances can react or comment on it. Some people scroll through Facebook and come across various types of content, including cooking videos, funny clips, and much more. This is how people use social media. Now, let’s get to the main point.

When we use social media platforms like Facebook and others, we notice that posts we have seen earlier reappear in our feed after some time, whether it’s a few minutes or a day later. Why does this happen? Well, the answer is quite common, but many people don’t actually think about it. They simply scroll through Facebook, using it for entertainment or passing the time, without realising that they are being sold to the world. Yes, we are being treated as a product. When these platforms display advertisements, and we see those ads, we essentially become the product. Most people are unaware that their data is being used to make money, and these companies are profiting from our information. They are making money by knowing every detail about us while we scroll through their platforms. For instance, when we go to a market to buy a product, we give money in exchange for that product. Similarly, companies like Facebook, Instagram, X, and others are earning money effortlessly without any effort, and we, the users, become a public commodity. This is a troubling revelation and could be considered unethical. This hidden truth affects people of all ages. It involves manipulation techniques used by social media companies to addict their users, as well as the psychological tactics used to achieve this goal. It also leads to increased depression and higher suicide rates among teens and young adults. The essay touches on how user actions on online platforms are tracked by the companies, which then use the data to increase user engagement, platform growth, and advertising revenue.

As the picture above states, “EVERY SINGLE ACTION YOU TAKE IS BEING WATCHED AND TRACKED.” This is very true on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, where the duration of time spent on a photograph or video is monitored, and similar posts are suggested afterward. Essentially, we become products and expose ourselves to the whole world without privacy. The dangers of artificial and fake news are also highlighted. It points out that we are exposing ourselves without realising it. This is essentially a “disinformation-for-profit business model,” where companies make more money by allowing “unregulated messages to reach anyone for the best price. The real concern is about the role of artificial intelligence in social media and the influence these platforms have on society, arguing that “something needs to change.”

So, the main focus here is that we need to bring about change. I’m not suggesting that we stop using social media, but rather that we use it for a positive and beneficial purpose. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through photos or videos, we can share important and meaningful content that can benefit the world. Stop allowing yourself to be monitored by others, and don’t let yourself be treated as a product. Be a responsible and beneficial user of Social Media. Let’s work together to change how we use these platforms. Don’t be a product; be an informed individual and use social media for purposes that benefit us all.