Dec 15, 2024
For decades, human development has been viewed through the lens of the nature vs. nurture debate. The question of whether our genetics (nature) or upbringing and environment (nurture) shape who we are has guided research, therapy, and societal understanding of human behaviour. The answer, of course, lies in a blend of both. We are a product of our biology and our environment—a dynamic interplay of what we inherit and what we experience.
However, in today’s digital world, a third factor has emerged—one that profoundly impacts how we think, feel, socialize, and process the world around us. This factor is numerics: algorithms, data-driven technology, and the engineering of the digital landscape.
From the screens we scroll to the ads we see, numerics influence our emotional, social, and cognitive development, often without our awareness. The impacts extend beyond individual behaviours—they are reshaping collective socialization patterns and driving a mental health crisis that disproportionately affects children and adolescents.
Numerics, specifically algorithms, are no longer neutral tools. These complex systems are designed to capture and hold our attention, tailoring content to keep us engaged for longer periods. The results are far-reaching. Algorithms dictate what we see, what we prioritize, and even what we believe to be true. In a sense, the digital world curates our experience of reality.
Socialization—how we learn to engage with society, form relationships, and understand ourselves—is now increasingly shaped by this artificial, profit-driven environment. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube don’t just reflect culture; they create it. Their algorithms are optimized to amplify extreme, emotionally charged, or sensational content because it generates more clicks, shares, and views.
The result is an unprecedented shift:
These digital influences are not harmless. They directly impact how we socialize, form relationships, and make decisions—from friendships to self-image. The curated, exaggerated nature of online spaces becomes a new kind of “environment” that competes with the real world for attention and influence.
While the social impacts of algorithms are concerning, the mental health consequences are even more profound—especially for youth. A recent Wall Street Journal investigation revealed the devastating ways TikTok’s algorithm targets vulnerable adolescents. In this study, automated accounts registered as 13-year-olds were inundated with videos promoting extreme weight loss, starvation diets, and harmful body image ideals. Within weeks, the accounts received tens of thousands of such videos, many showcasing emaciated bodies and dangerous dieting tips like the "corpse bride diet."
The findings are part of a broader issue across platforms where algorithms prioritize extreme content because it drives engagement. This has direct links to mental health problems, including:
According to research led by the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED) at Harvard, these harmful practices are incentivized by billions of dollars in advertising revenue. Social media companies are financially motivated to exploit vulnerable users—particularly youth—to keep engagement high.
The neuroscience behind these effects is clear. Social media algorithms target the brain’s reward system, triggering dopamine release with every scroll, like, or notification. Over time, this repetitive activation disrupts emotional regulation, reduces attention spans, and fuels compulsive behaviours.
For adolescents, who are in a critical stage of brain development, this can have long-term effects on:
The manipulation of digital content not only impacts individual mental health but also reshapes social norms. Consider the phenomenon of "groupthink—a psychological dynamic where the desire for social harmony overrides critical thinking. Social media exacerbates groupthink by rewarding conformity (likes, shares) and punishing dissent (trolling, exclusion). This encourages individuals to prioritize fitting in over authentic self-expression.
At the same time, the curated, idealized content of social media fosters comparison and loneliness. Many users—particularly young people—are left feeling isolated and inadequate when their reality doesn’t match the algorithmic fantasy they consume.
This perfect storm—of loneliness, groupthink, and algorithmic manipulation—has profound consequences for social and emotional development. It erodes critical thinking, stifles individuality, and deepens feelings of disconnection, all while exacerbating anxiety, depression, and addiction to screens.
As we grapple with this new reality, it’s clear that algorithms are no longer a peripheral influence. They are a third force alongside nature and nurture—a digital environment that actively shapes how we think, feel, and connect.
Addressing these issues requires a twofold approach:
At VOX Mental Health, we understand the unique challenges presented by today’s digital world. If you or your loved ones are struggling with the mental health impacts of social media—including anxiety, depression, poor body image, or social disconnection—our team of compassionate therapists is here to help.
Our Barrie psychotherapists and counsellors provide a safe, judgment-free space to explore the effects of algorithm-driven socialization on your mental health. Whether you need support for yourself or your child, we use evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs. Therapy can help you:
Located in Barrie, Ontario, our counselling services are available both in-person and virtually to ensure accessibility for individuals, couples, and families. If you’re looking for a Barrie therapist who understands the complex intersections of technology, mental health, and human connection, VOX Mental Health is here to support you.
The digital age has brought extraordinary opportunities, but it has also introduced profound risks. The rise of algorithms means we are no longer shaped just by nature and nurture. We are also products of a digital ecosystem driven by engagement, profit, and manipulation.
Understanding this third factor—numerics—is essential as we navigate its effects on socialization, mental health, and collective wellbeing. By fostering awareness, advocating for change, and prioritizing human connection over algorithmic control, we can begin to reclaim our agency and reshape our relationship with technology.
It’s not too late to create a healthier, more intentional digital future—one where people, not algorithms, determine how we connect, think, and thrive.
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