theguardian.com
Social Media's Negative Impact on Expectant and New Mothers
Social media algorithms target pregnant women and new mothers with anxiety-inducing content, worsening postpartum depression and anxiety, as evidenced by numerous reader experiences.
- How do social media companies profit from this targeting of vulnerable women?
- By creating and amplifying anxiety, social media companies increase engagement and clicks, leading to higher ad revenue. Research shows that individuals in negative emotional states are more likely to make impulse purchases, further benefiting companies.
- What is the primary negative impact of social media algorithms on pregnant women and new mothers?
- The algorithms amplify anxieties related to pregnancy and parenting by showing fear-inducing content. This is exacerbated by the heightened sensitivity of the amygdala during pregnancy and postpartum, leading to increased stress and potentially worsening postpartum depression and anxiety.
- What are the potential solutions and societal responsibilities to mitigate these negative impacts?
- While complete unplugging is unrealistic for many, responsible data handling by social media companies is crucial. Societal responsibility involves advocating for the protection of vulnerable groups online, as the current system exploits their heightened emotional state.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing centers on the negative impacts of social media algorithms on pregnant women and new mothers. The headline, "'I felt doomed': social media guessed I was pregnant – and my feed soon grew horrifying," immediately sets a negative tone. The selection and sequencing of reader letters further reinforces this negative framing, prioritizing accounts of anxiety, fear, and negative experiences over potential positive uses of social media. While acknowledging some positive aspects in passing (e.g., connecting with local mothers), the overall emphasis strongly suggests that the negative effects outweigh the positive.
Language Bias
The language used is emotionally charged, employing words and phrases like "doomed," "horrifying," "spiralling with worry," and "toxic messaging." These terms create a sense of overwhelming negativity and amplify the negative experiences of the letter writers. While using direct quotes, the overall selection and presentation of these quotes amplifies the negative sentiment. Neutral alternatives might include more descriptive and less emotionally charged words, such as "overwhelming," "concerning," "anxiety-provoking," and "intrusive."
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative experiences of pregnant women and new mothers, potentially omitting or underrepresenting the positive experiences or uses of social media during pregnancy and postpartum. For instance, the benefits of online support groups or access to educational resources are mentioned briefly but are not explored in depth. This omission could create a skewed perception of the issue, suggesting that social media is almost entirely harmful in this context. There's no mention of how social media is used for positive impact by healthcare systems, nor the role social media may play in forming support networks that aren't geographically limited. Considering the space constraints of a letter section, this omission might be unintentional rather than a deliberate act of bias.
False Dichotomy
The article implicitly presents a false dichotomy between the negative effects of social media and the lack of any positive experiences. While acknowledging some positive uses, the overwhelmingly negative tone suggests an eitheor choice: either social media is harmful, or complete avoidance is necessary. The nuance and complexity of the issue—that social media can have both positive and negative impacts—is not fully explored, leading to an oversimplified understanding of the situation.
Gender Bias
The article focuses exclusively on the experiences of pregnant women and new mothers, potentially neglecting the experiences of pregnant people who do not identify as women, and fathers. This focus implicitly centers the experience of motherhood, neglecting to examine how social media algorithms might differently impact expectant fathers or pregnant people in non-binary relationships. The analysis may be skewed toward a female-centered perspective due to the focus on mothers' experiences and associated algorithms. A more balanced approach would include perspectives of diverse gender identities and the effects on all parents.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the negative mental health impacts of social media algorithms on pregnant women and new mothers. The constant barrage of anxiety-inducing content, often fear-mongering and promoting unnecessary purchases, exacerbates postpartum depression and anxiety. This directly contradicts SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The quotes from clinical psychologist Dr Alla Prokhovnik-Raphique and the personal experiences shared illustrate this negative impact.