If Your Friend Jumped Off a Bridge, Would You?
How social media algorithms control our behavior
If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?
As a kid, I remember my parents asking me this rhetorical question to warn me about the dangers of peer pressure and following the crowd without critical thinking.
Critical thinking is in short supply in our society these days, and in today's online world, we are often rewarded for being conformists. One of the reasons for this is social media.
Social media's most positive feature is also its greatest flaw: it connects people to instant information, which may or may not be factual. This encourages people to react to events or news stories that they know little about and often without any critical thinking.
This is because social media sites function by exploiting dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in how we feel pleasure. For example, when someone gives you a compliment, a hug, or is nice to you, your brain releases this chemical messenger signaling that the experience is good.
Likewise, when you post, and someone likes your post, your body releases dopamine, reinforcing the behavior. The more likes you receive, the more dopamine is released, making the process addictive. And before you know it, you will post more and more, chasing followers and likes, and be fully captured by the algorithm. This behavior is part of human nature. After all, we are social creatures and want to be liked by our peers.
Younger people, in particular, can be more vulnerable to this phenomenon and tend to follow popular trends for engagement. And, boy, oh boy, this led to some bizarre behaviors when social media was in the early stages.
For example, remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? This was a viral trend during the summer of 2014 when people dumped ice water on themselves and donated money to ALS research. Celebrities joined in, and it became a widespread social phenomenon. Admittedly, this online trend was relatively harmless, and it raised quite a bit of money for charity.
But then there were more dangerous trends, such as the Tide Pod Challenge, in which teenagers filmed themselves eating Tide Pods and posted the videos on social media platforms.
The Milk Crate Challenge, which grew in popularity during COVID-19, involved people attempting to balance on top of stacked milk crates, often injuring themselves in the process, sometimes severely.
And finally, there was whatever the hell this is…
These behaviors are clear examples of behavioral contagion, a type of social contagion that occurs when people copy the behaviors around them.
Behavioral contagion becomes problematic when it leads to dangerous behaviors, such as self-harm or reckless internet challenges. Unfortunately, it seems like social media is filled with new challenges on a weekly basis. There's a concerning trend among high school and college students and sometimes even grown adults who are constantly chasing that dopamine hit and looking to become TikTok famous, even if they have to hurt themselves doing it.
The influence that social media can have on us isn't limited to controlling our behaviors. It also shapes how we see ourselves, what we believe about our own identity, and even how our bodies respond to stress.
One alarming effect of social media is its influence on mental health. A study by the Cleveland Clinic found that teenage girls have been developing sudden, uncontrollable tics resembling Tourette Syndrome. These tics often mimic those of TikTok influencers with the disorder.
Before the pandemic, sudden-onset tics accounted for only 1% of tic disorder cases. By 2021, they had increased to 35%. Researchers attribute this to social media exposure, stress, and anxiety.
Another disturbing trend is the rise of Snapchat Dysmorphia, where individuals seek plastic surgery to look like filtered versions of themselves.
According to CNN Business, plastic surgeons have reported an increase in patients requesting procedures to mimic airbrushed social media filters.
The term Snapchat Dysmorphia is linked to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a mental health condition in which individuals obsess over perceived physical flaws. BDD affects one in 50 people, and experts warn that social media filters exacerbate these issues.
Over time, social media trends have grown increasingly extreme—from dumping ice water on our heads to eating detergent pods, stacking milk crates, developing tics, and even altering our physical appearance through plastic surgery.
As a father of two young children, I am concerned about the future. Right now, my kids are not on social media, but one day, they might be. Maybe by then, the internet will look completely different—perhaps dominated by virtual reality or another digital technology that I can't begin to comprehend. (That’s a discussion for a different week.)
Regardless of the platform, one thing remains true: social media thrives on engagement, often without safeguards. As parents, we must stay vigilant. We must help our children understand that online validation—likes, shares, and viral moments—does not define their worth. As parents, we need to set clear boundaries about social media use and take a hard look at the risks and rewards of these platforms.
It’s not just teenagers who need to grasp this—adults do, too. Social media and the internet often distort reality, making it easy to mistake online validation for real-life self-worth. The only way to avoid becoming controlled by the algorithm is by taking back control of our own habits and limiting our exposure to it.
Here are some strategies that have helped me:
Set up time limits for apps — If you have an Android phone, you can set up a daily limit for any app or apps that you choose by going to Settings --> Digital Wellbeing --> App timers.
Engage critically, not emotionally — Remember, the algorithm is driven by engagement, and a lot of times, news headlines are designed to trigger an emotional response in order to drive clicks. More clicks means more advertising revenue for these outlets.
Limit or turn push notifications off — Constantly being inundated with notifications can be distracting and just as addicting as social media platforms.
What strategies have helped you unplug from social media? Let me know in the comments below. 👇
About Dad Think
My name is Joe. I’m a dad, husband, writer, and podcaster. If you're new here, welcome! If you are a returning reader, great to have you back!
“Dad Think” is my corner of the internet. It's where I give my perspective on technology, society, and culture as a father. From artificial intelligence to social media and digital culture, I break down how the tech shaping our world affects parents, families, and future generations. And sometimes, I write about my funny experiences as a parent of two young kids.
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Joe
Excellent post Joe. I remember being asked that question and the other variation of 'would you jump into the fire'.
I think you ask some really important questions here and there's a lot for dads to think about.
A couple of the things I'd add to this is the importance of our relationship with our kids. Lots of kids seek those dopamine hits as a result of having something missing in their relationships. By connecting with them regularly throughout their lives they don't have to seek some kind of exhilaration elsewhere.
It's important that we help define their worth, that we show them love for who they are rather than for what they do. Unconditional love is a great substitute for seeking social media likes in the future.