【News takeaway】 社交媒體讓人上癮嗎？科學是這麽說的。

美國多個州聯合起訴Facebook、Instagram等知名社交媒體平台的母公司Meta。他們認為Meta故意把社交媒體的功能設計得讓青少年容易成癮，也因此損害了青少年的心理健康。

來源：The New York Times
難度：3.5
閱讀時間：3.5 mins

Is Social Media Addictive? Here's What the Science Says.
社交媒體讓人上癮嗎？科學是這麽說的。

By Matt Richtel

A group of 41 states and the District of Columbia filed suit on Tuesday against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, contending that the company knowingly used features on its platforms to cause children to use them compulsively, even as the company said that its social media sites were safe for young people.
美國41個州和哥倫比亞特區組成的聯盟週二對Facebook、Instagram、WhatsApp和Messenger的母公司Meta提起訴訟。儘管公司表示社交媒體網站對年輕人而言是安全的，但是原告聲稱公司在明知其危害的情況下，還在平台上使用了會導致兒童沉迷的功能。

Experts who study internet use say that the magnetic allure of social media arises from the way the content plays to our neurological impulses and wiring, such that consumers find it hard to turn away from the incoming stream of information.
研究網路使用的專家表示，社交媒體像磁鐵般的吸引力，來自於內容對人們神經衝動和神經線路的影響，會讓使用者發現自己很難將注意力從不斷湧進的資訊流中轉移開來。

Devices lure users with some powerful tactics. One is "intermittent reinforcement," which creates the idea that a user could get a reward at any time. But when the reward comes is unpredictable. Just like a slot machine, users are beckoned with lights and sounds but, even more powerful, information and reward tailored to a user's interests and tastes.
這些電子裝置通過一些強大的策略吸引使用者。其中之一就是「間歇性增強」，它讓使用者認為他們隨時有可能獲得獎勵，但獲得獎勵的時間是不可預測的。這就像吃角子老虎機一樣，用燈光和聲音吸引使用者，但更強大的吸引力在於，這些資訊和獎勵是根據使用者的興趣和品味打造的。

Adults are susceptible, but young people are particularly at risk, because the brain regions that are involved in resisting temptation and reward are not nearly as developed in children and teenagers as in adults.
成年人容易受其影響，但年輕人更是處於危險之中。因為與成年人相比，兒童 和青少年大腦中用於抵制誘惑和獎勵的區域，還遠遠沒有發育成熟。

Moreover, the adolescent brain is especially attuned to social connections, and social media is a perfect opportunity to connect with other people.
此外，青少年時期的大腦對社交聯繫特別敏感，而社交媒體是與其他人聯絡的 絕佳機會。

1. file a suit 提起訴訟

The company's decision to file a suit against the rival firm was based on evidence of intellectual property theft.
這間公司對競爭對手提起訴訟的依據，是基於知識財產權被盜用的證據。

2. parent company 母公司

As a parent company, their primary role is overseeing the operations and strategies of their subsidiaries.
身為母公司，他們的主要職責是監督子公司的運作和策略。

3. knowingly 知情地

The executive knowingly misinformed the shareholders about the company's financial status.
管理層故意向股東誤報公司的財務狀況。

4. compulsively 強迫性地，做得太過頭

She compulsively checked her phone for updates, unable to resist the urge to stay constantly informed.
她強迫性地查看手機上的更新資訊，無法克制自己了解最新情況的衝動。

5. magnetic allure 磁性吸引力（指某事物強烈的吸引人）。

The new product's magnetic allure attracted customers.
新產品強大的魅力吸引了顧客。

6. to turn away from 拒絕或迴避某事物

He decided to turn away from the toxic environment at work and seek a job elsewhere.
他決定遠離工作中的有毒環境，另謀高就。

7. lure 引誘：以吸引人的東西誘使他人

The advertisement used an appealing message to lure customers into trying the new service.
這則廣告用了誘人的資訊，吸引客戶嘗試新服務。

8. unpredictable 不可預測的

The stock market is known for its unpredictable nature.
股市以其不可預測而聞名。

9. beckon 招手：召喚或引誘人們靠近的動作

With a friendly wave, she beckoned her friend to join her at the café.
她友好地揮手，邀請朋友一起去咖啡館。

10. susceptible 易受影響的：容易被某事物所影響或影響

Children are often more susceptible to advertising.
孩子往往更容易受到廣告影響。

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