Attentional Harms and Digital Inequalities

Abstract

Recent years have seen growing public concern about the effects of persuasive digital technologies on public mental health and well-being. As the draws on our attention reach such staggering scales and as our ability to focus our attention on our own considered ends erodes ever further, the need to understand and articulate what is at stake has become pressing. In this ethical viewpoint, we explore the concept of attentional harms and emphasize their potential seriousness. We further argue that the acknowledgment of these harms has relevance for evolving debates on digital inequalities. An underdiscussed aspect of web-based inequality concerns the persuasions, and even the manipulations, that help to generate sustained attentional loss. These inequalities are poised to grow, and as they do, so will concerns about justice with regard to the psychological and self-regulatory burdens of web-based participation for different internet users. In line with calls for multidimensional approaches to digital inequalities, it is important to recognize these potential harms as well as to empower internet users against them even while expanding high-quality access.

Strategies and solutions to address Digital Determinants of Health (DDOH) across underinvested communities

“…The remaining papers’ health technology topics in order of frequency were health information exchange/portals (18.8%), AI/big data/clinical decision support (6.0%), and wearables/electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO)/immersive technologies (3.0%). A small number of articles were identified as other (3.8%) per covering highly niche topics such as attentional harms to mental health caused by persuasive technologies [ 22 ] or information needs of those with chronic illness from CALD backgrounds [ 23 ]. Another small batch of papers (3.0%) did not reference technology.…”

“…(ePRO)/immersive technologies (3.0%). A small number of articles were identified as other (3.8%) per covering highly niche topics such as attentional harms to mental health caused by persuasive technologies [22] or information needs of those with chronic illness from CALD backgrounds [23]. Another small batch of papers (3.0%) did not reference technology.…”

Reinventing the Wheel: The Future Ripples Method for Activating Anticipatory Capacities in Innovation Teams

“…However, human cognitive capacity to anticipate long-term futures remains just as limited as before, and even expert knowledge is not entirely reliable for anticipating futures [52]. The detrimental efects of the attention economy [24] and reinforced discrimination of facial-recognition applications [2] are just two examples of technology breeding unintended future consequences. Carelessly constructed future visions can fail to factor in signifcant future events, whereby surprises may emerge that could have been better prepared for [46].…”