this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2026
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[–] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 4 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Another conflation you seem to be making is habit formation vs addiction. What you're describing in your own life does not sound like an addiction.

Addiction (synonymous with substance use disorder), as defined by the DSM-5, entails compulsive use, craving, and impaired control over drug taking in addition to physical dependence. ... Physical dependence is much more common than addiction. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366%2823%2900230-4/fulltext

[–] bampop@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (1 children)

I think the problem is how to separate those things, particularly in a legal sense. Social media could come under "compulsive use" but not physical dependence. But so could a lot of games and TV shows, insofar as they are trying to make you feel a strong urge to keep playing/watching which doesn't derive from providing value (better entertainment). There's so many products that use every trick they can to keep you consuming, should we legislate against them all? It would be nice to do something about all of that but using the law to do it can only lead to overreach.

[–] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

should we legislate against all of them?

Yes. Gambling and drugs have regulations and laws around advertising and use. I don’t see why any platform or service should get an exception.

[–] bampop@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (1 children)

If a TV program ends a series on an unnecessary cliffhanger, should there be legal consequences? How about if a smartphone game has timed events to encourage the player to come back regularly? While I agree that these things aren't typically beneficial, I don't think legislation is always the answer. There's a huge gray area around the question of whether a feature is beneficial or just designed to increase compulsive consumption. Trying to legislate something so ambiguous is bound to produce bad results.

Your comment is a little nonsensical. Again, I think your core issue is confusion over what addiction is and is not. Looking forward to the next TV episode is not addiction either.

Don’t you care about spreading misinformation online?