> Video games make you violent? Comic books make you unlearn reading?
These statements were never proven empirically, while social media's addictive design and impact is at this point undeniably documented. That is the difference.
Actually, I vividly remember reading about empirical studies linking video game violence to antisocial behaviour (studies that were later disproven). Who tells us that the current studies won't be similarly become overruled by majority consensus? We should be careful only believing in the studies who tell us what we want to hear.
On further research, metastudies [1] tend to find out that there are tons of studies linking violent games to violent behaviour: "On the basis of this metaanalysis, we conclude that playing violent video games is associated with greater levels of overt physical aggression over time, after accounting for prior aggression."
Hmm... It seems I was under informed. But if these things are problems, then we should try to fix them right? Doesn't that mean the "think of the children" crowd was actually right? We should be making games less violent, or at least provide accurate information about age appropriateness with nuanced content warnings.
>But if these things are problems, then we should try to fix them right?
Preventative measures never work. Mitigative measures should be how you enforce lessons. But everytime it's all about banning content, because sweeping it under the rug means kids won't try to dig, right?
Don't just say "GTA is bad don't play it". Explain what is bad about it (in very specific details), and why they should instead play something else until they get older. Don't treat it as if watching one act of violence or one sex scene will scar the kid for life. If they are old enough to go behind your back, they are probably old enough to be talked to about these topics. At least enough for them to understand why you disapprove.
If these things are so addictive, are there withdrawal symptoms? When I'm off the intertoobs for a few days (travelling) I suffer no withdrawal symptoms and don't miss it.
Back in the drama around facebooks' internal studies a few months ago, AFAICT it was all hot air and very sad quality studies, I couldn't believe the hype.
Are there other better studies showing harm that haven't been publicized as much?
addiction brings harm, but addiction's meaning has been muddied over the years. There are very few kids who would be taken off social media and legitimately suffer withdrawal symptoms due to lack of access.
That language is important when determining how to sue a company.
These statements were never proven empirically, while social media's addictive design and impact is at this point undeniably documented. That is the difference.