The rise of social media in the 21st century has created a whole new way for people to spend their time. Users scroll for hours on end on their devices, consuming content curated by algorithms to match their interests. This keeps them hooked on the platform and coming back for more. Social media addiction is now a thing, as many social networks' features are designed to stimulate the production of dopamine, the pleasure hormone.
With social media use being ingrained in so many people's daily lives, the operators of these platforms are now worth billions, if not trillions, of dollars. The more time people spend on social media, the more the platform owners earn, proving that time is money. Furthermore, the platforms hold so much data on their users, such as their interests, preferences, and habits, which are often sold to advertisers and organizations with less-than-savory intentions. Remember, if you're not paying for it, chances are, you're the product.
