Deleting an app like Instagram for many months causes its algorithm to lose understanding of your interests. Upon returning, the feed is generic and unengaging, creating a natural friction that discourages re-addiction. A short, week-long break, however, triggers aggressive re-engagement tactics from the platform.

TikTok's new 'wellness' features, which reward users for managing screen time, are a form of corporate misdirection. By gamifying self-control, the platform shifts the blame for addiction from its intentionally engaging algorithm to the user's lack of willpower, a tactic compared to giving someone cocaine and then a badge for not using it.

The legal strategy against social media giants mirrors the 90s tobacco lawsuits. The case isn't about excessive use, but about proving that features like infinite scroll were intentionally designed to addict users, creating a public health issue. This shifts liability from the user to the platform's design.

A new Virginia law now limits users under 16 to one hour of social media scrolling daily. While currently confined to one state, this move represents a significant step in government oversight. For marketers and platforms, this is a bellwether for a potential "cascading effect" of similar regulations across the country.

The addictiveness of social media stems from algorithms that strategically mix positive content, like cute animal videos, with enraging content. This emotional whiplash keeps users glued to their phones, as outrage is a powerful driver of engagement that platforms deliberately exploit to keep users scrolling.

Instead of outright banning topics, platforms create subtle friction—warnings, errors, and inconsistencies. This discourages users from pursuing sensitive topics, achieving suppression without the backlash of explicit censorship.

The landmark trial against Meta and YouTube is framed as the start of a 20-30 year societal correction against social media's negative effects. This mirrors historical battles against Big Tobacco and pharmaceutical companies, suggesting a long and costly legal fight for big tech is just beginning.

TikTok's powerful algorithm is described as "digital opium" for its addictiveness. This intensity is a double-edged sword, as it also makes TikTok the first app users delete when seeking a "social media break." This suggests a volatile, less loyal user relationship compared to community-focused platforms, posing a long-term retention risk.

The brain's hyper-plasticity period lasts until around age 25. Constant scrolling on social media provides rapid dopamine hits that the developing brain adapts to. This can create a permanent neurological wiring that expects high stimulation, leading to agitation and dysfunction in normal environments.