Lesson 240 of 1550
AI Algorithms on TikTok and Instagram: What Parents of Tweens Should Know
The AI driving social media feeds is finely tuned to maximize engagement — often at tweens' wellbeing cost. Here's what parents can do beyond just blocking apps.
Lesson map
What this lesson covers
Learning path
The main moves in order
- 1The premise
- 2social media AI
- 3engagement design
- 4tween wellbeing
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Section 1
The premise
Social media feeds are AI-curated for engagement, not wellbeing; informed parents can intervene with rules that match the actual mechanics.
What AI does well here
- Understand the basic engagement-optimization mechanics (watch-time signals, swipe patterns, dwell time)
- Co-view with tweens to see what the algorithm shows them — not what they think it shows them
- Have ongoing conversations about why certain content keeps appearing in feeds
- Use platform-provided controls (screen time limits, content filters) but don't rely on them alone
What AI cannot do
- Make platforms put wellbeing first (their incentives are misaligned with families)
- Substitute for the trust-based relationship that lets tweens tell you what's actually showing up
- Block every problematic content type (algorithms find new ways)
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