AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
A Model of Harmful Yet Engaging Content on Social Media
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 114,
May 2024
(pp. 678–83)
Abstract
Why do social media users spend so much time consuming content that seemingly harms them? We build a simple model to argue that advertising-driven platforms can find it profitable to display content that harms users when it is complementary to their time spent on the platform. These incentives disappear, absent network effects, in the case of a subscription-based business model because harmful content reduces the willingness to pay for the platform. Our results warn against interpreting increases in engagement on social media as welfare increases.Citation
Beknazar-Yuzbashev, George, Rafael Jiménez-Durán, and Mateusz Stalinski. 2024. "A Model of Harmful Yet Engaging Content on Social Media." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 114: 678–83. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241004Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D91 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
- L82 Entertainment; Media