In an article for RiffReporter, Thomas Eßmeyer shared his expert insights on dark patterns on social media, highlighting how excessive media use affects young people in particular.

Among other things, Dr. Thomas Eßmeyer contextualizes the criticism from the German Ethics Council and, in doing so, primarily criticizes the ethics and goals of companies that seem to prioritize profit maximization above all else rather than the interests and well-being of their users. He distinguishes between good design and dark patterns, drawing on technical terms such as the “attention economy” and “surveillance capitalism” to provide a deeper understanding of the topic.

The article also explores possible solutions, such as bans and restrictions, and how parents can exert a positive influence.

You can read the full article on RiffReporter.