Day 6 of 45
0 days read · no streaks, just days
Day 6 of 45 · 0 days read · no streaks, just days
Phase 1 · Awareness
Day 6: The algorithm knows you
“Algorithms that filter your feed are strong enough to know you better than yourself!”
The feed is a mirror tuned to keep you watching. Sanket suggests a simple test: download your data and read your "interests" file.
Nyhan et al.'s 2023 study of 23,377 Facebook users found that like-minded sources made up most of what people saw. Feeds do narrow what reaches us. But cutting that exposure by about a third did not change political attitudes over three months. Treat your interests file as a portrait of your attention, not proof of brainwashing.
If you need support
If phone or social media use is seriously affecting your sleep, studies, work or relationships, or you feel low or unsafe, please talk to a professional.
- Tele-MANAS: 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, free, 24×7.
- NIMHANS Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT clinic), NIMHANS Centre for Well Being, BTM Layout, Bengaluru: 080-26685948, nimhans.wellbeing@gmail.com.
- In an emergency, call 112.