Social media algorithms driving nihilism in youth, experts warn

Experts are warning that social media algorithms are contributing to a growing sense of nihilism and loss of motivation among adolescents. Rather than simple laziness, psychologists suggest that young people are experiencing a crisis of belief regarding the value of effort and long-term work.

Psychotherapist Gökhan Ergür notes that digital content often promotes the idea that reading, studying, and working are meaningless, instead offering illusions of quick wealth and instant gratification. This creates a conflict between the real world, which requires delayed rewards, and the digital world, which provides immediate consumption. This cycle can trap youth in a loop of hopelessness and indifference.

Prof. Dr. Fuat Güllüpınar from Anadolu University also highlights the intersection of adolescent psycho-social structures and these societal digital conditions, noting that the prevalence of content suggesting that 'nothing matters' is a significant concern for families and educators.