Tech giants have spent billions on research into the effects of their own products. Yet despite this investment, they continue to push their devices in ways that could damage mental health.
The companies’ own research has shown that heavy social media use can exacerbate anxiety and depression, make it harder for people to form close relationships, lead to addiction, and even contribute to the spread of misinformation.
But they keep selling their devices. And the products are designed to be addictive.
Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook has acknowledged that smartphones can be “addictive”. The company is currently facing a class-action lawsuit over claims its phones are too addictive for young people, and could lead to depression or anxiety.
Facebook has admitted that it has “not done enough” to protect young users from harm. It is now testing features designed to limit the amount of time teenagers spend on the site, as well as creating a dedicated section for mental health resources.
Google’s parent company Alphabet has pledged to invest $500m in research into “well-being”, including how its products affect users’ mental health. But it continues to push its own devices, including Google Home and Chromecast, which can be used to access YouTube and other services.
Amazon has also pledged to invest $1bn in research into “well-being”, but its own devices are designed to be addictive. Its Echo smart speakers and Kindle e-readers are designed to encourage users to read more, but they can also be used to access other services, including Amazon’s own shopping platform.
The tech giants have spent billions on research into the effects of their own products. Yet despite this investment, they continue to push their devices in ways that could damage mental health.
