Manipulating Our Brains: The Neuroethics of Social Media Addiction

The past few decades have resulted in an influx of social media usage, and this has manifested itself as a social media addiction. This addiction not only consumes large amounts of time, but also has the power to alter user’s lives, driven by the exploitation of the brain’s reward system and its mechanism. In the digital age, companies like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok deliberately design their platforms to encourage dopamine release, using psychological concepts such as intermittent reinforcement, gamification, and community presents to foster addiction. The ethical concerns of this manipulation lacking consent raise concerns about mental autonomy and well-being. Thus, this paper explores the neuroethical dimensions of social media addiction, examining psychological principles causing addiction and the urgent need for ethical standards and regulation to protect users' mental autonomy.