Conclusion
I understand that this section is long, but it is the shortest piece I could create to lay out the major variables I have come to see as describing the online world thought to influence behavior. The pieces in my argument interact and these interactions are not evident if the components are presented in isolation. Singling out adolescents added to the length, but hopefully will create an analysis of greater value for educators. I have attempted to write the section with a nod to the scholarly style of academics providing at least a few relevant references to hopefully add some credibility to the way I see these factors fitting together. I hope this approach qualifies what I have written as more than an opinion piece. Typically, the literature associated with most of the factors I have identified are backed by a substantial literature. I have made the effort only to provide a sample of the relevant research and those interested in following up can easily use my references to get started on a deeper personal review.
Describing a problem no matter how accurately does not necessarily inform these who are convinced of what causes a problem with remedies that might be pursued. I will attempt to explain a few opportunities that occur to me.
It is likely that the public concern over the invasion of privacy will result in some concrete changes. Federal legislation seems likely and legal requirements have already been established by countries other than the United States. Legislation here will likely require more direct user control over what the information services are allowed to collect and perhaps whether or not companies can share the information collected with other companies in order to generate revenue.
Users themselves can easily take action to block ads and cookies (the small snippets of software saved by a browser that can be used to collect and forward information back to servers). Most browsers now offer an "incognito mode" and the environment associated with some new browsers (e.g., Brave - https://brave.com/ ) have been developed specifically to protect user privacy by blocking ads and cookies. You can block ads and cookies if you want.
I have some concerns with a strategy that eliminates ads and ad-related data collection. For those users unwilling to pay for many of the services available online, which I am guessing is most present users, I don't see a way to sustain the cost of infrastructure, employees associated with the service, and content creators. Even if content creators are willing to work for free which I doubt would be the case for many who generate quality resources, there are real costs to keep services running. If ad revenue were eliminated today, the internet as we know if would quickly deteriorate. Subscription models would soon offer the only opportunities and the Internet would decline in flexibility and equitable access.
What are the options if ad supported content and services continue with an approach allowing greater security for personal information? Issues such as the behavioral techniques used to attract user attention to a given service, service based and personal based biases in content selection, and mental health factors exacerbated by the typical stresses of adolescence would not disappear. What I would recommend at this time would be exposure to information concerning how the processes I have identified work. You are being manipulated by online consequences delivered on an intermittent schedule. Here are the consequences that influence most people (likes, friend requests, etc.). If you are aware of what is happening, you can control your use of and exposure to consequences. We all have biases that influence the content we examine and the interpretations we apply. These biases limit our accurate understanding of many issues. It is possible to learn how you are biasing the information you are experiencing in specific services (e.g., Facebook) and to understand how these services are misleading you into assuming you are receiving a neutral exposure to information on important issues. Here are some ways to improve balance in the information you consume. You can learn that there is a tendency to pass along content that is emotionally slanted. Is this the kind of information you share? Is the kind of information shared with you?
Understanding how things work is the first step in examining our own behavior. Examining our own behavior is the first step towards making adjustments resulting in improvements. Educators can play an important role by offering clear explanations of these processes and by engaging students in experiences that focus on identifying examples in existing student behaviors.
References
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