What is the impact of seeking attention?
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Seeking attention, especially in the context of social media, can have several negative impacts. According to on the , social media platforms often reinforce attention-seeking behaviors through mechanisms like outrage. People tend to connect with like-minded individuals and seek attention through various means, such as selfies or humorous engagements. However, outrage is frequently the most effective way to garner attention, either by sharing information meant to provoke or by demonstrating extreme outrage themselves. This behavior not only attracts attention but can also lead to fringe beliefs and conspiracy theories as individuals try to outdo each other in expressing outrage 1.
Similarly, Dr. Aseem Malhotra discusses on the that social media's algorithm promotes attention-seeking behavior by rewarding actions that increase likes and visibility. This dynamic encourages people to behave negatively, in what Dr. Malhotra terms "asshole supremacy," highlighting how algorithms prioritize attention acquisition even at the cost of fostering negative interactions 2.
Overall, seeking attention on social media can spiral into increasingly negative behavior and divisive interactions, as users vie for the most attention through extreme or provocative actions.
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