In a previous post, I discussed the super-addictive nature of recommender-based platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and X.

What to do about this?

It’s unclear to me. Probably, we need more regulation. However, this could take time.

Here is one easier suggestion.

As individuals, we have the power to use these apps differently. In particular, we can use them with awareness and intention.

By awareness, I mean that we can make efforts to recognize how we feel when we use the apps. Does it align with how we want to feel? If not, how might we do things differently in the future?

For example, we could set time limits for certain apps, or we could use our devices only on a fixed-interval schedule (on Sundays, for example).

By intention, I mean that we can ask ourselves in advance what we hope to achieve on our apps. Then, we can stick to it.

For example, before picking up our phones, we might decide that we would like to check a friend’s Instagram account. We would then do this, leave the app, and put down the phone. Or, we might decide that we would like to view an account that has a different political leaning than we do.

Using apps in these ways, with awareness and intention, will improve our own experiences. It will also improve the experiences of others, because our behaviors on the apps influence what others see, too.

For example, in the scenario above, if we put down our phones after checking our friend’s account, we no longer give the algorithm additional behavioral information that it can use to draw in other users. If we choose to view an account with a different political leaning, the algorithm will in turn expand the horizons of other users who are similar to us.

In the end, our data made these apps into what they are today. Together, we can reshape them for good (or abandon them altogether).