Are Algorithms Playing with the Brain?

Algorithms Playing with the Brain: Social Media Traps and the Addiction Loop

By: Rody Nabil

I am writing these words as I feel a growing anxiety inside our homes every day. Social media is no longer just a collection of apps we open for entertainment; it has become an intelligent system that plays directly with the brain. What happens quite simply is that algorithms study our behavior and our children’s behavior. They know when we feel bored, when we look for a laugh, and when we are vulnerable. On that basis, they pump endless content in front of us—video after video, image after image—until we find ourselves spending two hours without realizing it.

How Does the Addiction Loop Work?

This is where the trap lies, or what I call the addiction loop. A child opens TikTok or Reels on Facebook and Instagram, gets a quick dose of dopamine, laughs, and then swipes the screen again looking for a bigger dose. With each time, their concentration drops, their patience for studying wanes, as does their patience for reading a book or even sitting with us at the dinner table without a phone in hand.

Signs Deserving Family Attention

Here I am not talking about all children, but about a phenomenon I see with my own eyes and that I am told about very often: children who do not sleep enough, clear distraction inside the classroom, anxiety and tension, constant comparison between their lives and the lives of others on the screen, and a feverish desire for fame and trends at any cost.

The Danger Lies Not in the Content Alone

The danger of social media to our children is no longer just in bad content, but in the way it was designed to make them addicted. And this is the most dangerous part.

What Should We Do to Protect Our Children?

So what do we do? Do we ban them completely? I believe that complete bans have become impossible, but regulation and awareness are the solution.

Inside our homes, we need to replace the addiction loop with a real circle: a circle of daily dialogue, a circle of play, sports, and small achievements where the child feels their true value far away from view counts and likes.

We need to apply what is called digital parenting, setting specific times and specific places for phone use, away from bedrooms, and we need to be the role model ourselves before asking them to do so.

The Role of School and Society in Digital Awareness

At the school and societal level, I hope that digital awareness will turn into a core subject adopted by the Ministry of Education, explaining to students how these algorithms work and how their time and attention are exploited as a commodity sold to advertisers.

I also hope that parent groups on Facebook and WhatsApp—where we talk daily about problems and curricula—will likewise become a channel of communication for awareness and a trusted source where we share practical solutions, adopting a real community partnership to protect our children.

Protecting Our Children’s Minds Is Our Responsibility

Protecting our children’s minds from screen addiction is not a luxury; it is our primary responsibility today.

By: Rody Nabil

Published by Hany Sallam

Hany Sallam, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Scientific Magazine Ahram
An independent Arabic science magazine operating since 2008, dedicated to simplifying science, technology, space, natural phenomena and scientific stories for Arabic readers. The magazine includes sections such as “Zodiac Group” and “Stories and Tales”, alongside science topics that combine knowledge with a spirit of discovery. It operates independently and is not affiliated with Al-Ahram Press Foundation or any governmental body.