This course helps you understand what social networks are and why they were created. It also helps us understand how they target us and how they make us addicted to them. It also teaches us how to use social networks while discovering and stoping the toxicity and negativity that creates depression.

We start by looking at how social networks are built then we move on to how they target people and create audiences for advertising. Advertising systems are used by advertisers to target and collect data on all users across multiple networks. These applications also collect data about everything we do on our smart phones and computers which makes targeting us much easier.

Topics discussed in this course:

1. How Social Networks Are Built

2. How Social Networks Target Groups of People

3. How false news, propaganda and interest groups use social networks to spread lies

4. What Cyber Risks and Threats are Hidden in Social Media

5. How to recognise and stop toxicity and negative interactions on social networks

6. What mental health issues are seen by people who use social media

We then look at the risks and how social network apps create anxiety and depression through sustained usage via mobile apps that keep us hooked via endorphin releases (likes). This course is based on research done on the mental health issues created by social media apps and usage as well as cyberbullying and how unvetted advertisers spread fake news and propaganda. Additional research in my book The Social Media Dilemma on Amazon shows how social networks effects on mental health such as depression, suicides, attention deficits as well as negative body image.