Social Media Loses Its Social Luster

Guest commentary argues that social media has become less about connection and more about data collection and advertising.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 2:23pm

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The author, a former advocate for social media, now argues that the platforms have shifted away from fostering genuine connections and relationships, and are instead designed to maximize user engagement and data collection to drive advertising revenue. The piece traces the evolution of social media from a tool for reconnecting and communicating to one that is now dominated by pushed content, influencers, and features that serve the interests of tech giants rather than users.

Why it matters

This commentary highlights the growing concerns around the negative impacts of social media, especially on younger generations, as the platforms have prioritized business goals over authentic human connection. It adds to the ongoing debate about regulating social media and rethinking how these technologies are designed and used.

The details

The author notes that while social media was once touted for its ability to reconnect people and allow for shared experiences, it has transformed into a system primarily driven by data collection and advertising. Features like likes, shares, and retweets are now seen as tools to maximize user engagement rather than foster genuine interaction. The piece also references the work of researchers and advocates, like Jonathan Haidt, who have raised alarms about the mental health impacts of social media, especially on teenagers.

  • In the early 1970s, Peggy Charren, a grandmother from the Boston suburbs, argued before the FCC that children's television needed reform to protect vulnerable youth from advertising.
  • Peggy Charren died on January 22, 2015, and the author notes that her activism is "desperately missed".
  • The author published a piece "somewhat presciently and before COVID-19" proposing a new way of thinking about media consumption.

The players

Peggy Charren

A grandmother from the Boston suburbs who faced the FCC in the early 1970s to argue that children's television needed reform, recognizing that Madison Avenue should not prey on vulnerable youth.

Jonathan Haidt

An author and sociologist who advocates for phone-free schools, no social media until age 16, delay of phone ownership, and a return to play-based childhoods, focusing on how social media influences teenagers' mental health.

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What they’re saying

“Charren died Jan. 22, 2015; her activism is desperately missed.”

— The author (baltimoresun.com)

“Haidt focuses on how social media influences teenagers' mental health. He suggests that Gen Z's constant scrolling amplifies comparison, competition and reactivity.”

— The author (baltimoresun.com)

The takeaway

This commentary underscores the need to rethink the design and use of social media platforms, which have evolved from tools for connection to systems primarily driven by data collection and advertising, with potentially harmful impacts on users, especially younger generations. It adds to the growing calls for regulation and a fundamental shift in how these technologies are developed and deployed.